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The Easter/Mothers Day 2011 Issue of Creative Crafting Magazine. A friendly publication created by Crafters to raise the profile of the Crafting Community. Find beautiful handcrafted items, projects, tutorials, recipes and much much more. Don't forget that all of our links and advertisements are fully clickable!!!
Citation preview
By Crafters for Crafters
EASTER 2011
CREATIVE CRAFTING
Issue 10
Join our friendly social Network
And make lots of new crafting friends
Become part of a wonderful community
Join in on the fun in the forum
Upload photos and videos to promote your creations
Customise our own profile page
Spend time in our chat room and host your own chat events
sponsored by
wwwcreative-connectionsningcom
Creative ConnectionsCrafterrsquos Network
EditorAnna - The Crystal Lady
thecrystalladycreative-craftingcomwwwmysticearthcoukwwwradiancecrystalscouk
Technical Editor
Avril - Sprinkles Sparklessprinkscreative-craftingcomwwwsprinklessparklescouk
Senior Features Writer
Diane - Peggyrsquos Knitswwwpeggyscollectionwebscom
Feature WritersTina - In the Garden
wwwtina-in-the-gardenblogspotcom
Tracey - Wowthankyouwwwwowthankyoucouk
wwwelderberryartscoukClaire - Elderberry Arts
wwwheartmadegiftswordpresscomDianne - Heartmade Gifts
wwwcreative-craftingcom
Creative Crafting is anAvanna Publication
wwwcreative-connectionsningcom
CREATIVE CRAFTING
ww
wc
reativ
e-cr
afting
co
m
1st June2011
Look out for ourFathers Day issue on
Your Creative Team
Anna - Editor Avril - TechnicalEditor
Diane - SeniorFeature Writer
ON OUR COVERSpring Squirrel Resin
Collage Broochby Raddington
By Crafters for Crafters
Issue 3ValentinesMothers Day 2010
Handcrafted
Wedding
SpecialValentine amp
Mothers Day
ProjectsHave you
been
featured
B
EASTER 2010
Issue 4
FATHERS DAY 2
010
Issue 4
By Craf
ters f
or Craf
ters
Chec
k out our
Craf
tersDirect
ory
AUGUST
SUM
MER
201
0Is
sue
5
By C
rafte
rs fo
r Cra
fters
Chec
k
out our
Craf
tersDire
ctory
CREA
TIVE
CRAF
TING
Donrsquot forget that you canadvertise your craftbusiness in CreativeCrafting magazinefrom only pound2
Visit our website for moreinformation or email us for acopy of our media pack
ww
wc
reativ
e-co
nn
ectio
nsn
ing
co
m
Donrsquot forget
All of our links andadverts are fullyclickable
For media packs please emailthecrystalladycreative-craftingcom
wwwcreative-craftingcomadvertisehtml
Lisa - Off with her Headwwwoffwithherheadcouk
wwwbeadsunlimitedcouk
Gemma - Beads Unlimited
wwwfolksycomshopsandrealesleycrochet
Andrea - Andrea Lesley Crochet
Page37 Page
15
Welcome to the April Issue of Creative Crafting
Spring is most definitely in the air the weather is improvingthe gardens are starting to wake up and we crafters are fullof new inspiration
This issue we are lucky enough to have lots of projects fromnew and regular faces for you to enjoy We also bid a sadfarewell to two of our favourite contributors Amy from MissBaclart Designs and AmyOrangeJuice These lovely ladieshave been with us for many issues now and we shall missthem but they have assured us that they will hopefully beback in the future Good luck ladies
We have some much awaited crochet projects this time sodo have a go and show us how you get on Donrsquot forget thatyou can join in all the crafting fun along with our regularcompetitions on our Facebook Page
httpwwwfacebookcomCreativeCraftingMagazine
See you all again in our Summer issueAnna
~ x ~
wwwcreative-craftingcom
In this Issue
Regular Features
Special Features
6 Crafters DirectoryThe best place to go whenyou are looking for thatspecial handcrafted item
Another visit with ourfavourite green fingeredfriend
A selection of handcraftedgemstone productsselected by our CrystalLady
A wonderful selection ofhandcrafted itemshandpicked by SprinklesSparkles
40 Online Street Best Picks
Discover unusual andforgotten crafts with TheCrystal Lady This issue wefind out about knitting withDog Hair
29 Weird and Wonderful Crafts
Sprinkles Sparkles finds morecraft items from both ends ofthe price scale
35 Budget amp Luxury
26 Tina in the Garden
15 Crystal Magic
More winners of our Blogand Shop awards and theall important lsquoman of themonthrsquo
49 This Months
Diane from Peggyrsquos Knitsreviews some of yourwonderful products
10 Di saw it first
Diane from Peggyrsquos Knitstracks down anotherCelebrity This issue shespeaks to Tania Vital
19 Dianes Celebrity Chats
Everyones favourite Awonderful recipe broughtto you by Dianes Mum
34 Who likes chocolate Cake
Recipes
Learn about the fascinatingworld of Millinery with Lisafrom Off With Her Head
16 If you want to get ahead get a hat
They may seem oldfashioned but just take alook at the beautiful itemsfound by The Crystal Lady
33 Luscious Lockets
Tracey from Wow ThankYou asks how people feelabout the the Royal Do
44 My Big Fat Royal Wedding
Kits donrsquot have to be massproduced
48 Jewellery making kits from the small crafter
16
33
19
12
30
wwwcreative-connectionsningcom
Interviews
Yoursquoll never look at brokenceramics the same wayagain
24 An Interview with Laura by the Sea
Sandra creates the moststunning metal jewelleryTake a look
46 An Interview with Little Fairy Cult
Sarah from Ragtag Rugshas a rug project for us
22 Rug Making
Dianne from HeartmadeGifts shares somewonderful Salt Dough Giftideas Perfect for Easterand Mothers Day
30 Easter Salt Dough
A long awaited crochetproject from the talentedAndrea Lesley Crochet
36 How to Crochet a flower brooch
Projects
Another wonderful projectand competition withGemma from BeadsUnlimited
12 Make your own striking Spring Necklace and Earrings
Claire from Elderberry Artsshows us how to make alovely fleece hat for thelittle ones
20 Make a childrenrsquos fleece hat
Another crochet projectfrom Andrea LesleyCrochet
37 How to Crochet a mobile phoneipod cosy
Heidi gives us a great ideafor old t-shirts
38 A Teenagers guide to lsquoGokrsquo up a t-shirt
Another stunning jewelleryidea with Elderberry Arts
42 Make a Rose Quartz Bracelet
29
44
20
46
24
34
If you would like to be featured in our directory please visit our website
Crafterrsquos DirectoryThe perfect place to find beautiful gifts
Handcrafted items are becoming a popular alternative tomass produced items
Lovingly created and often surprisingly inexpensiveBrowse through our directory and
click on the links to visit a world of beautiful craft shops
Off With Her HeadOff With Her Head
LamingtonsLemonade and
Custom made HealingJewellery
lsquoJust for yoursquo
PeggyrsquosCollection
Made with love and care
Ragtag Rugs
If you would like to be featured in our directory please visit our website
Crafterrsquos DirectoryThe perfect place to find beautiful gifts
Handcrafted items are becoming a popular alternative to mass produced itemsLovingly created and often surprisingly inexpensive
Click on the links to visit a world of beautiful craft shops
Averilpam Design Handcrafted one of a kind jewellery and bags Folksy
Designs By Isis Beautiful and unique handmade jewellery waiting for you to treatyourself Website
Elderberry Arts Hand crafted unique and uncommon silver gemstone glass gay andbisexual jewellery Website
Enigma Jewellery Unusual handmade jewellery amp gifts using Sterling Silver Hill TribeSilver Swarovski Crystals - most items are one off designs Folksy
Kokokelli Gorgeous Handmade Jewellery amp Greeting Cards at affordable prices Folksy
LauraFaye Crafts Eclectic gorgeous bright and contemporary - beaded jewellery andgifts resin jewellery polymer clay pieces cards and artwork Website
Madam CC Something old Something new Folksy
Mystic Earth Gemstone Healing Jewellery personal matching service available Website
Pretty Beautiful Designs byMaria
Unique handmade jewellery necklaces bracelets and earrings perfectfor every occasion from everyday to a big night out Website
RastafairyMalaika Beautifully crafted macrame jewellery with semi-precious stonesComissions taken Etsy
Rosie-Jo High quality handmade beaded jewellery featuring sterling silver semiprecious stones glass wood felt porcelain and tensha beads Misi
Snow Queen Trinkets Kiln Fused Dichroic Glass Jewellery Folksy
Sprinkles Sparkles Bespoke Handmade Jewellery and Accessories Website
The Jewellery Angel Cute Colourful and Kitsch Jewellery Folksy
The Vintage Jewellery Box Hand-designed vintage-inspired jewellery with a modern twist offering afresh alternative to girls who like to wear something a bit different Website
Neate Crafts Painting Knitting Pyrography amp lots more Misi
Painted Ghost Handmade accessories for baby and child home of the Bibbla Website
Crafterrsquos DirectoryThe perfect place to find beautiful gifts
Handcrafted items are becoming a popular alternative to mass produced itemsLovingly created and often surprisingly inexpensive
Click on the links to visit a world of beautiful craft shops
SudrsquonrsquoSoothe Juice Bar just got a new meaning Website
Radiance Crystals Bespoke Bridal and Occasion Jewellery Website
All things Nice The home of unique affordable arts and crafts Folksy
Diomo Glass A range of Stained Glass Gifts by a Stained Glass Artist I recycle glass tocreate gifts and other novel little items of interest fun and meaning Folksy
FloralGifts4U Beautiful floral gifts for all occasions Sock posies are our speciality Website
Lemonade and Lamingtons Homewares amp accessories fresh amp exciting Folksy
Ragtag Rugs Handmade rugs from recycled textiles Folksy
Court amp Spark Handmade Textiles by Phillippa Harding An original range ofDecorations Soft Furnishing Cards amp Gifts with a VintageRetro Twist Website
Dab and a Dash Unique handmade JournalsNotebooks Fabric covers and stitchedbinding Folksy
Kelso Kreations Handmade Gifts for that special occasion Folksy
Little ScruffsMiniature Mohair Artist Bears with loads of character Vintage style collectable Website
Moody Cow Designs Unique handmade handbags and accessories Folksy
pipdesigns Ipad Covers Purses Handbags - Designer amp Funky Fabrics Folksy
Wraggamuffins Handmade chocolate truffles a perfect Valentines gift to show someonehow much you love them Website
If you would like to be featured in our directory please visit our website
Ann Chandler Originals Unique bags and accessories in unusual fabrics including vintagekimono silks funky cotton prints and upcycled clothing Folksy
Off With Her Head Vintage Inspired Millinery hats and fascinators based on originalvintage designs illustrations and photographs and custom designs Website
Crafterrsquos DirectoryThe perfect place to find beautiful gifts
Handcrafted items are becoming a popular alternative to mass produced itemsLovingly created and often surprisingly inexpensive
Click on the links to visit a world of beautiful craft shops
Beads4Breakfast Artisan lampwork beads made in my kitchen studio Commissions taken Website
The Little Bead Box Beautiful Beads and Jewellery Supplies Folksy
UK Craft Store Novelty buttons and more Website
Abstract Cat Crafts Colourful high quality hand-dyed and hand-painted knitting yarn Website
Andrea Lesley Crochet Beautiful handmade crochet gifts Folksy
Joyknitt Joyknitt Knits Misi
NOfkants Curios Hand Knitted and Crocheted Unique Handbags Folksy
Peggyrsquos Knits Quality knitted items Website
Wharfedale Woolworks Hand painted yarns and custom knits Folksy
Creative CraftingAdvertise with
wwwcreative-craftingcomadvertisehtml
A mouse here could take customersto your store
We care about yourcraft business
Prices startfrom only pound2
The Broken Doll Unique greeting cards and gifts from The Doll for that something a littlebit different Folksy
Di saw it first craftreviews
Thank you to everyone that has sent in items for the review Such gorgeous handmade giftsThere really are many very talented people out there
All of these items are going to be able to be won by one of our lucky readers Could it be you
Delightful canvas personalised bag and hair accessoriesSo well made and presented gorgeously These would makesuch a good gift for any little girl Beautiful detail and somany choices of what to buy The details on them areexceptionalwwwjaydesignshairclipscouk
Gorgeous hand made beaded bracelet with little pink bowsso well made and would compliment any outfit
Has so many gorgeous pieces in her shop something foreveryone Comes in a gorgeous little organza bag packagedbeautifullywwwmychicuniqueetsycom
Handmade gorgeous card called Moonlit Bay This card isso stunning the details that have gone into it really show
A very professional finish and hand signed by the artistMimi who is based in Cornwall Mini makes some gorgeousitems and it is so nice to have her Cornwall influencesinspiring her artworkwwwartbymimicouk
This is a stunning necklace made with lampwork beads and Swarovskicrystalspearls and glass bicones with glass seed beads The coloursare amazing and really stand out
Packaged in a beautiful aqua organza bag to compliment thenecklace This would be a great gift for anyone and I am sure youwould get so many compliments from wearing thiswwwscottishprincesscouk
Di saw it first craftreviews
Recycled fabric notebookjournal has 3 pages and is A5 size with2 decorative pagesThe front page also has a pretty nameplate with 3D flowers on it
Made very well and would be an absolutely wonderful gift for any one to receive regardless of their age Although it is unsuitable for very young children due to the decorative disc on the front cover My nieces both loved this notebook and I am sure it would be a great gift for little girls and a very special keepsake book
wwwfolksycomshopsdabdash
Nursing necklace from a company called Booby and The BeadsAbsolutely stunning colours and made very well Pinks and reds reallycompliment each other Packaged in a beautiful pink organza bag
A great idea for a present for any ladyhttpwwwfacebookcompagesBooby-The-Beads-Nursing-Necklaces-Reminder-Bracelets -more157477778613
Lovely handmade bookmark made with material andcharms So different and would make an excellentgift Never seen a bookmark with so much detail onBefore
Gorgeous handmade charm packaged and has so muchdetail on it This would be perfect on your bag or keys and Iam sure everyone would ask where you bought it from Bothpackaged beautifullywwwd-k-designscouk
You could win all these goodies by entering our giveaway
Just enter you name and email address to be in fora chance of winning all these handmade gifts
wwwcreative-craftingcomgiveawayhtml
Closing date for entries is 31st May 2011
Written and reviewed by Peggyrsquos Knitshttppeggyscollectionwebscom
Make this simple striking necklace using beadedheadpins and chain to add a bold statement
to your favourite outfit
MaterialsI used Beads Unlimited products in the following quantities tocomplete the jewellery set -
100g x high quality glass mix pink tones (GLXH22)1 x 40 mm silver foil flat round lime green (GLCN4028)50 cm x heavy chain ( sold per meter) silver plated (CHHSP)2 x (1 pack of 10) 8 mm jump ring silver plated (JR8SP)1 x pack of 100 headpins silver plated (HPSP)2 x (1 pack of 6) long ballwires silver plated (LBWSP)1 x (1 pack of 12) eyepins silver plated (EPSP)1 x trigger clasp silver plated (TRGSP)You will also need a pair of multi pliers (CRMT)
Step 1 Thread thelime green beads ontoan eyepinWith the round nosedpart of the pliers bendthe eyepin into a loopdonrsquot close it yet
Step 2 Measure andCut 28 cm and 12 cmof chainAttach one length toeach eye on the beadedeyepin and close theloop
Step 3 Thread a beadof your choice from thepink mix onto a headpinTrim the headpin 1 cmabove the beadsAttach to the chain linknext to the lime greenbeads Close the loop
Gemma is inspired by everything around her from colourand form to the materials she uses and by using manytraditional techniques with contemporary ideas she createsjewellery with her individual style
Make your ownStriking Necklace and Earrings
Step 4 Continue to addbeads from the pink mixin the way to create atapered look on each sideThe shorter length of chainshould be beaded along 5 cmand the longer length 14 cm
Step 5 Attach and 8 mmjump ring to one and of thenecklace ends and a jumpring with a trigger clasp tothe other
Finished necklace
To make the earringsCut a 5 cm length of chain Attach a long ballwire to one end and bead inthe same way as the necklace Make sure you attach a bead to the endlineRepeat to make a pair
Designed by Gemma fromwwwbeadsunlimitedcouk
This necklace and earring set could be yoursVisit wwwcreative-craftingcomgiveawayto enter
Competition end date is -31st May 2011
Beautiful Jewellery to helpyou through life
wwwmysticearthcouk
These pieces of unique jewellery makethe perfect gift for a loved one or a much
needed treat for yourself
MYSTIC EARTH
Have you ever thought ofhaving a piece of
Gemstone and CrystalHealing Jewellery Created
lsquojust for yoursquoEach stone matched to your needs
The Crystal Lady at Mystic Earthcan offer you this service
Quality KnittedItems
httpwwwpeggyscollectionwebscom
PeggyrsquosCollection
Made with love and care
Mother Nature has provided us withwonderful Healing Gemstones and Minerals
PeridotFor this Issue discover the beauty of
(MgFe)2(SiO4)+AlCaMnNiCoCrTi
If you would likemore information about
Crystal Healing Jewelleryyou can contact
The Crystal Lady atthecrystalladymysticearthcouk
httpwwwmysticearthcoukor visit
In the Middle Ages Peridot was employed for warding off evil spiritsand to bestow wisdom and friendship
Mentally -Dissolves oppressive feelings that arise from self-blameAllows us to forgive ourselves
Physically - Peridot has a strong detoxifying effect and stimulates the liverEnhances the liver and gallbladder helps with skin problems even warts
Chakra - Heart Solar Plexus
Peridot Mini Hair Comb
pound14
Lime Crush
pound35Victorian Sterling Silver
Peridot Ring
$38
Chocolate Pearl and PeridotNecklace
$78Jasper Peridot Rhyolite
and Pearl Necklace
pound45
Peridot Chip Bracelet
pound7
As a woman in the UK today if you attend a wedding or the races andparticularly if you are lucky enough to go to Ladies Day at Royal Ascotthen it is usually expected that you should wear a hat or nowadaysa fascinator
If you want to get ahead get a hat
People have always worn hats in someform whether as a protective head covering oras a mark of status within society hats have alwayshad their place In the 15th century it was expectedthat women keep their hair covered wearing veilsand wimples and refashioned male hats were alsopopular
But it was not until the 17th century that womenrsquosheadwear began to take the familiar shape that it does today Bonnetsbecame increasingly popular and at times could be extremely elaboratetrimmed with ribbons lace and feathers
The term lsquomillinerrsquo meaning a maker of womenrsquos hats refers to products derived from Milan andNorthern Italy such as the straws and ribbons used in the making of hats
The haberdashers who imported of these products were known as lsquoMillanersrsquo from which we getthis term The first use of the term in the UK was in the 1700rsquos
Hats were extremely popular at the turn of the 20th century not only forspecial occasions Victorian hats were large brimmed and ornatelydecorated with flowers feathers ribbons and beads The austerity of theSecond World War led to their eventual decline as an everyday pieceof a womanrsquos wardrobe
Nowadays hats and the ever popular fascinator are seeing a resurgencenot in the least thanks to the influences of women such as Sarah JessicaParker Paloma Faith and of course Kate Middleton
Choosing a hat or fascinator needs careful consideration Height faceshape and personality all play a part in shaping your decision A boldfascinator is a statement piece and is certainly not for the shy
Everyone can wear some type of hat or fascinator its just a matter of finding the right one to suityou
There are some amazing British professional milliners working today not least including thelikes of Stephen Jones and Phillip Treacy but you will also find in the UK some wonderful millinersselling their designs on Etsy each producing unique designs to put the perfect finish to any outfitwhatever the occasion
Off With Her Head is run by self taught designer and milliner Lisa Poolewhose designs are fuelled by a love of vintage fashion and moviecostumes
Based in Fife Scotland she prides herself on creating each piece by handand loves to create bespoke pieces for her customers
Off With Her Head focuses on creating vintage inspired pieces andalthough Lisa creates hats and fascinators from various eras in historyshe admits to being a little biased towards the 1950rsquos as its her favouritedecade for fashion
Whatever direction Off With Her Head takes the ethos behind the businessremains the same - quality hats and fascinators at a reasonable price
Off With Her Head ndash Vintage Inspired Millinery
Etsy Store httpwwwetsycomshopmadamequeenyWebsite wwwoffwithherheadcouk
Annalisa Maria Millinery
Annalisa of Annalisa Maria Millinery has always adored hats andbeing the type of person who loves to make things she quitenaturally became interested in millinery
Trained at Kensington and Chelsea college famous for itsmillinery alumni where she learnt all the basics of the trade
She now works out of her London home producing beautifulone of a kind hats and head pieces
Etsy Store wwwetsycomshopdesignsbyannalisa
With so much choice there is absolutely no excuse not to finish your outfit with stunning hatfascinator or headpiecehellip and as they say
Written By Lisa PooleFrom Off With Her Headwwwoffwithherheadcouk
Ella Gajewska is a professional milliner working in London Hats are thelove of her life She has been working as a milliner since 1996 thoughher passion for hats started much earlier in her childhood when Ellacreated hats for her dolls to give them a bit more of an extravagantlook
Having achieved success in Poland where she was a milliners ateliermanager and an inspiring teacher for other young milliners she decidedto take her chances in London the world capital of hats
Since 2001 Ella Gajewska has had the chance of working for renownedateliers and milliners Working in England alongside the best designersof various head wear she has had the chance to develop and perfecther skills even more
Ella Gajewska
Etsy Store wwwetsycomshopEllaGajewskaWebsite wwwellagajewskacom
Little Miss B Design
Little Miss B started out making hats and accessories for herselfand friends uninspired by what was available on the high streetShe decided that shersquod like to give a wider audience the chanceto own a unique Little Miss B creation so began her foray intofashion and millinery
Her inspirations comes from days gone by when style andglamour were more apparent and the quality of craftsmanshipwas high From the 1920s to the 1960s vintage to rockabillyLittle Miss B brings it to the present day with a modern twist
Etsy Store httpwwwetsycomshopLittleMissBDesign
Ive always been artistic in one form or another As a child I always paintedand drew a lot At school I did everything from make a wooden fish pencilholder perspex badges pottery and childrens toys I was very into pencildrawings and shading but I loved using watercolour and other textures formy more cartoonManga style art
I was never very good at what back then was deemed the Girlie stuff I wasmore into woodwork and moulding and graphics This is probably what mademe choose my Bachelor of Science Degree in Architectural Technology Formy degree we used a lot of CAD (Computer Aided Design) to design buildings and building materialsWe also had to craft models of some of our own designs with foam board and other materials I wasin my element with this part of the curriculum
The great thing about craftdesignmaking things - whatever you want to call it is that there is a freedom in Art that you do not get anywhere else There is no right and wrong and no rules The rules come later At the point of concept it is just you and your imagination Which is very liberating and also quite scary because we are conditioned to think within the constraints of rules Art has no rules
Dianes Celebrity ChatsOur lovely Di from Peggyrsquos Knits chats to another celebrity about crafting
Tanya has worked on a number of shows the most recent being the character Adele Alfrey in ITVrsquos Emmerdale She has also worked on other familiar shows with awardwinning producers directors and writers She starred in the BBCcomedy Kerching Her first professional role was in Holby CityShe is also an accomplished presenter and budding playwrightTanya is a former student of the National Youth TheatreTanya told me how she has been artistic about how she sees artand her views on crafting
Please all take a look at Tanyarsquos website which ishttpwwwtanyavitalcom
What you will needFleece material - To determine the size needed- measure the circumference of your head(around your ears) and add 12 inch for seamallowance This will be the width and the lengthmeasurement is 20 inchesCotton thread in the same or contrasting colour
Average Head Sizes -
Newborn (6 months and younger)Circumference 14 to 17 inchesCrown 8 to 10 inches
Infant (6 to 12 months)Circumference 16 to 19 inchesCrown 11 to 12 inches
Child (12 months to 3 years)Circumference 18 to 20 inchesCrown 11 to 12 inches
Step 1 Lay out your fleece on a flat surface anddraw out a rectangle using the measurements forthe hat size required This should be 20 inches longand the width will be the circumference measurementof the size hat your making plus 12 inch seamallowance So to make a hat for a child with a headcircumference of 15 inches the width should be15 12 inches
Claire from Elderberry Arts shows us how to make achildrens hat from fleece material
Why not experiment this Easter holiday
Below are easy to follow instructions and a sizing guide
Thin length of fleece approx 12 inches by12 inchRuler or tape measureTailors chalk or penScissorsPinsSewing needles or sewing machine
Elderberrry Arts
Step 4 Place the right sides of the fleecetogether and pin along the length of thematerial Sew along this edge either by handor machine Knot ends and sewing inside thehem You can trim this hem to make it even andneater if needed
Step 5 Turn the hat right side out andarrange it so the seam is in the middleback From the bottom of your hatmeasure the crown length and place thefleece strip under the hat at this point
Step 6 Tie the ends of thestrip together and pull tightto gather hat
Step 7 Now cut the topsection of the hat into stripsapproximately 12 inch wide
Once youve cut all the wayround the strips can be trimmedto shorten them if required
You could also thread plastic ponybeads on some or all of the stripsknotting the bottom to secure them
Step 2 Cut out the rectangleof fleece Then cut a strip 12inches by 12 inch of fleecefrom the leftover material
Step 3 Pin a hem approx12 inch wide across theshorter length of fleece
Sew either by hand or machineKnot ends and sewing insidethe hem
Written by Elderberry Artshttpwwwelderberryartscouk
Rug Making Ragtag RugsWith
Looking for something fabulous to make using all your old T-shirts sweat shirts and other disusedgarments If so this could be the project for you
The craft of making rag rugs is very traditional and dates backto the mid eighteen hundreds itrsquos still very relevant today whatwith the importance of recycling the other great thing aboutit is that the design on the rug can pretty much be whateveryou want it to be - an image of your pet or your house anabstract or geometric design or something floral traditionalhellip itrsquos totally up to you and your imagination
The technique Irsquoll be using for this project is a method calledlsquohookingrsquo which is very simple and produces a soft and hardwearing pile Irsquove tried to keep everything simple and equipment to a minimum so that everyone canhave a go My favourite fabrics to use are the afore mentioned T-shirts and sweat shirts as they frayvery little but most textiles of a medium thickness can be used
MaterialsVirtually any material can be used in a rag rug some materials are easier to work with than othersThe best materials to use for hooking include T-shirts sweat shirts lightweight cottonssynthetics amplightweight woolsynthetic jumpers Fabrics such as heavy weight denim are not suitableFor this project Irsquove used plain fabrics but patterned fabrics can also be used
HookingStep 1 Working with the Hessian design side up poke the hook through the Hessian and grab thestrip of fabric underneath with the hook
Step 2 Pull the end of the strip of fabric up through the Hessian so that you leave a tail of at least1 cm sticking up
Step 3 Move the hook along about half a centimeter poke it back down through the Hessian andpull a loop of fabric up through to the top of the Hessian a loop height of about 1 cm is best thenjust repeat this technique filling in the required area when you reach the end of a fabric strip pullthe end up through the Hessian and trim it so itrsquos the same height as the loopsMake sure your loops are dense enough and you canrsquot see any of the Hessian backing There is noneed to physically fix the loops in place as they will stay put automatically due to the thickness ofThe fabric and the denseness of the loops
What you will needA piece of Hessian measuring 90 cm x 110 cmSelection of fabrics cut into strips measuring1 - 2 cm wide depending on the thickness ofthe fabric and avoid any seamsRug hookDressmakers pinsScissors
Large-eyed needleBall of woolMarker penYard stick metre ruler2 sheets of thin A4 card or a flattened cereal packetCompassPencil
Ragtag Rugs Rug Making Ragtag RugsWith
Step 1 Using the compass and pencildraw two circles measuring 185 cmacross on the sheets of card and cut theseout using the scissors
Step 2 Using the marker pen and metre rule draw a rectangle on the piece of Hessian measuring63 cm x 84 cm leaving a boarder of about 12 cm all the way around the rectangle Divide therectangle into four giving you central lines for the width and length of the rug Place the card spotson the Hessian in the appropriate places and draw around them using the marker pen for the halfand quarter spots fold one of the card templates accordingly and then draw around it Draw in yourdesigns within the spots
Step 3 Fold under the raw edges of the Hessian and stitch with arunning stitch using the large-eyed needle and wool this is to preventthe Hessian fraying selvedge edges can be left as they are
Step 4 Hook in the strips of fabrics filling in the spots first and then thebackground You can either use the design shown here or make up yourown spots and colour scheme
Step 5 When completed lay the rug face down on the floor and turn in a hem of about 6 cms tothe back of the rug and pin it all the way around fold and pin the corners as neatly as possibleSew the hem to the back of the rug with a running stitch using the large-eyed needle and woolVoila You have a rug
wwwfolksycomshopsragtagrugs
Written by Ragtag Rugs
SupplierFor an American Style Rug Hook costing about pound750 and also Hessian go to Fred Aldous CraftSupplies wwwfredaldouscouk
NoteSome people prefer to use a rug making frame which helps to keep the rugsquare but as the rug wersquore making here is fairly small and wersquore keepingthings simple Irsquove dispensed with this
The first item I sold online was on my Folksy shop(httpwwwfolksycomshopsLaurabyTheSea) and was a vintage ceramic andbead brooch the buyer was very pleased with it and gave me great feedback
Tell us about yourselfMy name is Laura and I live by the sea in the East of England Pakefield to be precise I live with my wonderful Brother who is a musician so we have a very creative household and in our bright conservatory I make ldquoLaura by The Seardquo jewellery (from necklaces brooches amp bracelets to ear rings and hair slides) using vintage ceramics I break vintage crockery hand sand it to ensure there are no sharp edges and make the shards into beautiful jewellery
When did your crafting begin and whyI began studying ceramics during my BA Hons degree in Fine Art at The University of Portsmouthwhich is where my obsession for vintage crockery began to grow Initially I began by making newplates and tea cups with vintage shards in but soon the beauty of the ceramic shards startedappealing to me which is when I had the idea of making jewellery out of them - and one day I justdid it and havenrsquot stopped since I just love how the cute patterns really stand out against the silverchain
What was the first item you made to sell online
What is your biggest crafting achievement and why
I think my biggest crafting achievement since starting Laura by The SeaJewellery has to be getting interviewed for the national ldquoMAKE Jewelleryrdquomagazine as their new ldquoIt accessoryrdquo designer I totally didnrsquot expect themto contact me via my Folksy store
Other than crafting what else do you like to do
In my spare time I like to paint I write I stronglybelieve it is the simple things in life that count I am a collectorof anything old with a story and pick up anything found on the seashore First morning sunshine trawling antique treasure troves walks on the sand with my pooch Sepia tones and seeing life through a lens makes me happy I do a photographyfashion blog(laurabytheseatumblrcom) and am a very sociable person These are a fewof my favourite things and yes that should include raindrops on roses andbrown paper packages tied up with string
Where would you like to be in 5 years
In 5 years time I would love to be able to do this on a full time basis tomake enough money to live I am aiming to have my jewellery sold in manyUK wide independent stores and hopefully a few abroad However theultimate dream is to have my jewellery featured in Vogue
The first item I sold online was on my Folksy shop(httpwwwfolksycomshopsLaurabyTheSea) and was a vintage ceramic andbead brooch the buyer was very pleased with it and gave me great feedback
Where does your inspiration come from
My inspiration comes from trawling antique and vintage shops photography (one of my current favphotographers is Elizabeth Sarah from America) and I am always inspired by other people When Iget talking with my friends about anything creative the juices start flowing and I get more designideas I am also inspired and work along with music (anything from RampB amp Hip-hop to Reggae andJazz I have an eclectic mix)
What are your favourite materials and why
Vintage ceramics because I adore the vintage floral prints on the crockeryand like the idea of being as eco-friendly as possible and like to only userecycled materials in my jewellery
What is favourite shop online that isnrsquot yours and why
My favourite online shop has to be Loglike a contemporary gift and home ware store with vintageelements The owner makes cute candlesticks from vintage plates and saucers that look amazing onmy coffee table (see httpwwwfolksycomshopsLoglike)
Has any person helped or supported you more than any other
I would have to say my parents and Brother Not just financially when Iwas a poor struggling student but they are supportive with everything Ido in life and I just couldnrsquot do without them My brother is more like abest friend
Tell us a random fact about yourself
I have 23 dresses in my wardrobe and have a vinyl collection of mostly 1980rsquos music (my guiltypleasure)
httpwwwfolksycomshopsLaurabyTheSea
Visit
Lauraat
in the GardenHi Irsquom Tina
Good to have you visit with me again in The GardenI think we will sit in the conservatory this morning the sun is juststreaming in it is so wonderful to feel the warmth after such a coldwinter I have the kettle on and some little iced biscuits butremember we must not over indulge me especially as I have notbeen working in the garden so much just sitting in doors munching
Well Spring is here at last and it does seem to be in a hurrythis year the crab apple is already in bud and also the fruittrees
I had my own little piece of garden and the plants therewere in my charge if I forgot to water them and theydied mother would say you have to be responsible givethem a little care and you will be rewarded with so muchbeauty and as I look around the garden today thebeauty just takes my breath awayI checked out the herbs after the winter and just look atthis monster itrsquos the parsley how great is this
Here is a photo of the willow catkins or lambs tails as mymother used to call them she was a country woman andknew every wild flower by their old country names sheloved all nature and her garden and was my inspirationfrom an early age
wwwtina-in-the-gardenblogspotcom
Also I think that this flower is really confused it is of coursean antirrhinum when I emptied the summer bedding fromthe tubs some were still fine so I planted them in thegarden and as you can see have been well rewarded Alsosome silver foliage plants which I cannot remember thename of and of course have lost thelabel they seem to think that it isalready summer
At the moment you can get into the bog it does not look half as mysterious as it does inthe summer you can even see the streamMy better half and I have one or two projects this summer well I have theideas and he makes them work howlucky am I So watch this space
Oh you have to leave well thank you again for coming be safe until your next visit withme in The Garden
Your green fingered friendTina
The bluebells are coming throughin the wood not long now beforethey flower they have to hurrybefore the trees get their leaves
Creative CraftingAdvertise with
wwwcreative-craftingcomadvertisehtml
A mouse herecould take customers
to your store
We care about yourcraft business
Prices startfrom
only pound2
There are a lot of different crafts to choose fromThis series of articles will discover some of the more unusual and also some
old world crafts that may have been almost forgotten
This article was created by
The Crystal Ladyhttpwwwmysticearthcouk
Sold by Amazon
Knitting with Dog Hairby Anne Montgomery
Contains easy step-by-step instructions for collecting cleaningstoring and spinning your dogs fur The book includes originalknitting patterns for the novice and the pro - from mittens toshawls to lace collars from your cats hair
How to Knit a Dog Hair Sweater
E-How
The brushed undercoat of a dog is called chiengora and can be used for knittingcrocheting or felting just like lambs wool or other yarn Dogs hair has been used forcenturies for weaving blankets and other coverings Dogs hair is much warmer thanwool Here is how to knit a sweater from dog hair
After the tutorial the writer goes on to leave a warning that dog hair is much warmerthan wool and an entire garment made of dog hair will be too hot to wear
I also found a very fascinating article about a lady called Laurie Moy on the Boulder DailyCamera website
Better a sweater from a dog you know and love than from a sheepyoull never meet
Warp and woof-woof Making clothes out of dog hair
Read more Boulder Daily Camera
This was discovered in an American newspaper by Creative Craftings Tinawe just had to tell you about it
I did some Googling about this and apparently there is quite alot about it I found a tutorial on the popular E-How site
Irsquom sure like me yoursquoll find this quite fascinatingIf any of our spinners out there fancy a go atcreating some yarn from their pooches we wouldlove to see some of the results It is also a greatidea for recycling all of that fluff that you areconstantly sweeping up off your sofa or yourcarpet There really is a use for most things afterall
Salt dough is so quick and easy (and therapeutic) to make endlessly adaptable a joy to sharewith the kids and has the advantage of being made from store-cupboard basics (although youcould make these projects in clay or fimo or even plasticine)The drawbacks are that it takes a while to cookpaintvarnish it will dissolve in wet or very dampconditions and will break if you drop it So allow yourself a couple of days to produce a finishedpiece and varnish thoroughly when decorated to protect against any damage
Making a Batch of Salt Dough
1 Mug of Table Salt2 Mugs of Plain FlourApprox 1 Mug of Tepid Water (Add final frac14 slowly)1 Tablespoon of Olive or Vegetable Oil (Optional)
Mix the flour and salt together in a bowlIf you are using oil (which helps to add elasticity but is optional and not necessary) add it to themug of water Add the water (with or without oil) to the salt and flour mixAdd most of the water stirring into the dry ingredients with a wooden spoon Add the last of thewater carefully as you will need more or less depending on humidity and the gradequality of theflourYou need to add enough to bind the ingredients without making it too sticky Empty onto a lightlyfloured surface and knead for at least ten minutes until the dough is smooth and slightly warm
A Few Tips for Modelling Salt DoughRoll out salt dough onto a lightly floured surface with a floured rolling pin or you could use abottle if you havent got a rolling pin Gently flattening salt dough with the heels of your hands willwork too but keep moving the dough to keep it even and turn it over to the fresh smooth sidejust before you begin cutting shapesKeep the thickness of your pieces under an inch much thicker than this and they wont hardenproperly in the middleUse a sharp knife to cut salt dough shapes but a blunt knife (or the back of a knife) is useful whenmarking lines onto the dough A scalpel or craft knife is best for cutting out intricate shapesUse pastry cutters plasticine moulds forks hair grips scrubbing brushes experiment withanything you have lying around the house
Cooking Salt DoughCook your salt dough pieces slowly in a very low oven The cooler and slower the better to preventdistortion in the cooking process These pieces were cooked at 140275 degrees or Gas Mark 1 forapproximately 2 hours but I often leave them all day in the oven at its lowest setting
Heartmade Gifts
Decorating Salt DoughYou can decorate your pieces before or after the cooking process Try adding food colouringherbs and spices tea or coffee to your dough as you knead it Or try painting your uncooked piecewith an egg wash for a lovely golden glowExperiment with various mediums on cooked pieces Gouache and acrylics work well but posterpaint is fine (if a little limited in colour variation) and you could try chalks felt tips or crayonsUse glue to add decorations including glitter sequins fabric bows tiny scraps of paper etcIts nice to leave the dough perfectly natural sometimes and sometimes a combination of naturaldough and painted areas works very wellVarnish thoroughly Any varnish will work I tend to use a spray varnish as a first coat to set thepaints then I add a few coats of a super store own brand wood varnish (If you need yourfinished piece to be especially waterproof try yacht varnish but be aware that it will tend tochange the colours making them yellowish)Use a small brush to get into all the nooks and crannies and allow each coat to dry thoroughlybefore applying the next one The more coats you apply the better protected your final pieceHowever unvarnished salt dough I have made for personal use (or the odd forgotten piece) hassurvived very well even in a slightly damp old house So dont let a lack of varnish deter you fromtrying salt dough But if you are creating a family heirloom four or five coats of a good varnish willensure it lasts for yearsTry these two Easter projects the ldquoEgg-stra Specialrdquo eggs are very quick and simple enough to dowith small children the primrose basket takes a while and is a little fiddly but well worth tryingand very easy to adapt by choosing your own flower or perhaps some other motif
~ Egg-stra Special Eggs ~
1 Form an egg shape from a small ball of dough by rolling in your hands and pressthis gently onto your baking tray(Its easier to build your salt dough pieces directly onto the tray you will use tocook them rather than try and move them while they are still uncooked I havebuilt my eggs onto the kitchen surface because it will be easier for you to see whatIm doing)
2 Roll out a piece of salt dough and use it to cover the bottom end of youregg like a blanket When you are happy with the position gently lift andrun a wet paintbrush between the two pieces to glue them together
3 Cut out an egg cup shape around your egg
4 Use a damp paintbrush to push the egg cup onto the eggand ensure it sticks
(A damp paintbrush also helps soften edges and blend any creases or cracks)
5 Uncurl an old metal paperclip and push into the dough to form a hangingloop You can use a piece of any wire I try and use paperclips or a piece of wire
coat-hanger as I like to recycle An alternative hanging method is to create a smallhole (or two holes for larger pieces) and thread a ribbon or piece of leather shoelacethrough the hole tying it to make a loop)
6 Cut out a small bow shape from a piece of flattened dough
7 Cut two ribbon ends from a rectangle of flattened dough
8 Use a wet paintbrush to layer the ribbon ends onto thetop of your egg
9 Attach the bow in position And add a small piece to the centre ofthe bow to finish
10 Cook
11 Decorate in whatever way takes your fancy hellip have fun
~ Primrose Basket ~
1 Cover a bowl in greaseproof paper and turn upside down onto your baking tray
2 Roll out some dough to approx 5mm thickness and cut into thin stripslong enough to cover your bowl
3 Lay four of these strips across the bottom ofyour bowl
4 Begin weaving four in the opposite direction by gently liftingalternate strips out of the way laying the cross strip and replacingthe lifted strips
5 Then add one strip to each side until you reach the edge of the bowl
6 Trim the edge with a knife or fold the stripsback to form a rough bowl lip You can indentsomething on the dough to secure anddecorate
7 Cook
8 Carefully remove the bowl and paper
9 Make primrose flowers and leaves and glue them to the rim with a wetpaintbrush replacing your bowl in the oven for a short whileLeaves ndash cut rough leaf shapes out of a piece of flatted dough and mark theveins and indent the edges with the back of a knifeFlowers ndash use a small heart cutter to cut 5 heart shapes and place on the rim with pointstogether indenting the centre with your fingertip and then marking with the end of a paintbrushPaint with whichever medium you prefer or have to hand I have used acrylics here leaving thebasket natural and painting the primrose leaves green and the flowers yellow adding someorange to the centres of the flowers while the yellow is still damp for a blurred effect
This article was written by Diannefrom Heartmade Gifts
Join Heartmade Gifts on Facebook
wwwheartmadegiftswordpresscom
Lilac Lace Heart LocketJewellery by Bina
Vintage Victorian StyledSweetheart Locket
Miss Bohemia
pound17
pound15
Emerald Bewitched
youmin
$40
The Bright Forest Locket
marisolspoon
$35
Cameral Locket
mydogandi
$2750
Creative CraftingFavourite
This article was created by
The Crystal Ladyhttpwwwmysticearthcouk
Lockets may sound very old fashioned but if you have a wander through thehandmade sites you will find a wealth of very modern and extremely beautifuldesigns Perfect for you to carry your loved ones with you wherever you go
Bee Joyful LocketThe Whimsical Wren
pound10
SteampunkWatch Mechanism
Locketedmdesigns
$85
Luscious LocketsLuscious Lockets
Who likes Chocolate CakeThis is a great recipe for Easter Mothers day or any other daylets admit it we all love chocolate
Ingredients
7 oz self raising flour8 oz caster sugar1 teaspoon of salt2 tablespoons of cocoa powder4 oz margarine2 eggs beaten with5 tablespoons evaporated milk5 tablespoons water1 teaspoon vanilla essence
1 Sift together flour sugar and salt and cocoa2 Rub in margarine3 Stir in eggs essence and liquids then beat well4 Grease and flour 2 8 inch cake tins divide the mixture between them5 Bake in a moderate over 325-350 F gas mark 3 about 35 minutes6 When cold sandwich together and cover in milk chocolate icing
Milk chocolate Icing
Ingredients
2 and a half oz margarine or butter4 tablespoons cocoa8 oz sieved icing sugar3 tablespoons hot milk1 teaspoon vanilla essence
Melt the margarine or butter and blend incocoa powder then stir in icing sugar milkand vanilla essence Beat until smooth andthick
We hope you all enjoy the recipe we would love to see anypictures of chocolate cakes that you make
Instructions
Instructions
Written and reviewed by Peggyrsquos Knitshttppeggyscollectionwebscom
By Sprinkles Sparkleshttpwwwsprinklessparklescouk
All prices are correct at the time of publication
Budget amp LuxurySpring special
Woodland DaffodilsCharm Bracelet
Coco Angel Rosepound1600
Spring Flower Hair ClipFlutter2me
pound450
Spring flowers broochDi Does Craft
pound800
Pink Spring Clutchfunky diva designs
pound1750
Cupcake BuntingCotton Cottage
pound1650
Purple TulipsWildrose Ridge
pound350
Chickadees and LilacsStained Glass WindowStained Glass Addie
pound4940
The Charlotte - SageRosalind Jamespound14500
Springtime 16 Crayon RollApple n Amos
pound509
Buttercup earrings in softyellow with peridot and brass
Goblins Marketpound401
Springtime DalaFolk Horse HangingDecoration - YellowCourt and Spark
pound400
D A P H N E - BrokenChina Plate Pendant
and Sterling Silver NecklaceDesigns by Mila
pound2228
To make the leaves
Using DK yarn and 300 mm hook make 5 leaves as follows
Rnd 1 9ch dc in 2nd ch 1htr in next ch 1tr in each of next 6ch 3ch ss in base of last tr worked
Now work on opposite side of stitches by turning the work
Rnd 2 3ch 1tr in each of next 6ch 1htr in next ch dc ss in top of first stFasten off and sew in loose ends
Materials
Small quantity of DK yarn I have used a yarn with awool-mix but any DK yarn of your choice will be suitableSmall quantity of kid mohair yarn (use two strands together)300 mm hook200 mm hookOne large buttonBrooch pinSewing needle
To make the small rose
Using a 200 mm hook and working two strands of kid mohair yarn together 13ch
Rnd 1 1tr 2ch 1tr in 4th ch (skip 2ch 1tr 2ch 1tr in next ch) 3 times (4 v- spaces)
Rnd 2 3ch 6tr into next v-space 1dc into space between v-spaces Continue with 6tr into eachv-space and 1dc in between spaces until end ss into last ch Fasten off
Roll the work with fingers from start to finish to create a small rose flower and sew together at thebase
Assembling the brooch
Turn the flower so the right side is facing up and sew the button in the centre of the flowerAttach the rose to the centre of the button as shown in diagram Sew a brooch pin to the back of theflower to complete the brooch
Arrange the 5 leaves to form a circle so thecorners of the leaves are touching Sew eachcorner together to form the petals of aflower
Turn the work so the wrong side is facing upand close the hole by sewing together withthe same DK yarn used to make the leaves
Crochet Flower Brooch
ch - chain stitchdc - double crochethtr - half treble crochetss - slip stitchtr - treble crochetst - stitch
Crochet Mobile PhoneiPod Cosy
Materials
50g Dk yarn in mustard colourSmall quantity of DK yarn in bright pink for picot edgingof cosy and small roseSmall quantity of DK yarn in sage green for leaves of roseflowerSize 300mm hook
Instructions for the cosy
The cosy can be made to fit a mobile phoneiPod of your choice
Pattern note the pattern is worked in dc throughout and worked in the round using the tapestrycrochet method of crochet This involves carrying a second yarn below the first making it verystrong
Foundation row
Using one strand of DK yarn in mustard make a chain that measures the width of your mobilephoneipod
Rnd 1 dc across row until the last chain 2dc in last chain Turn work
Rnd 2 Begin to carry a second strand of mustard yarn throughouteach round and every round from now on This yarn is not worked butcarried below the first strand of yarn
Work along the opposite side of the row just worked 1dc in first ch1ch in each chain until the last chain 2dc in last chain Now mark thelast stitch just worked with a different colour yarn so you can see theend of the round and keep moving this marker up to the last stitchworked
Rnd 3 Dc in each chain around working in spirals moving the stitchmarker as the piece grows Continue until the work measures thedesired length to fit the mobileiPod Fasten off and tie in loose ends
ch - chain stitchdc - double crochethtr - half treble crochetss - slip stitchtr - treble crochetst - stitch
Instructions for rose flower
Rnd 1 Using DK yarn in bright pink 1tr 2ch 1tr in 4th ch (skip 2ch1tr 2ch 1tr in next ch) 3 times (4 v- spaces)
Rnd 2 3ch 6tr into next v-space 1dc into space between v-spacesContinue with 6tr into each v-space and 1dc in between spaces untilend ss into last ch Fasten off
Roll the work with fingers from start to finish to create a small rose flower and sew together at thebase
Instructions for leaves
Using DK yarn and 300mm hook make 2 leaves as follows
Rnd 1 5ch dc in 2nd ch 1htr in next ch 1tr in each of next 2ch 3ch ss in base of last tr workedNow work on opposite side of stitches by turning the work
Rnd 2 3ch 1tr in each of next 2 ch 1htr in next ch dc ss in top of first st Fasten off and sew inloose ends
Assembly
Sew the leaves to the reverse of the rose and attach to the cosy as shown in the picture
Picot edging
Rnd 1 Using DK yarn in bright pink dc into each stitch around the edge of the cosy opening ss tofirst dc
Rnd 2 3ch ss into 2nd chain from hook ss into base of 3ch dc into next 2ch 3ch continuefrom to ss into last ch Fasten off and sew in loose ends
Written by Andrea Lesley Crochethttpwwwfolksycomshopsandrealesleycrochet
Materials
T - shirt - colour your choiceScissorsChainSewing needle and threadCorsage or embellishments
Step 1 First get a plain whitet-shirt
Step 2 Then cut off the neck Step 3 Now sew two pieces of chain to each side of where theneckline should be
Step 4 Cut a triangle out ofthe bottom of the t-shirt
Step 5 Tie the two ends thatare left into a knot or bow
Step 6 Finally add a corsageor flower to the front
Step 7 Now you have a bang on trend crop top simply wear over a vest top I loved designing andgokking up this t-shirt it took minutes and didnt cost a lot either
Corsage made by Madam SalamihttpwwwetsycomshopMadamSalami
Written By Heidi Jackson
Favourite finds from around the crafting communityThis months focus is Easter and Spring
Click on the images to take you to their store
Online StreetMISI
Ring With A FlowerBlue Fish Handmade
pound800
Spring necklace in glassand sterling silver
RosieJo Jewellerypound1275
Easter Eggs CardNaomi Constable
pound250
FOLKSY
Easter rabbit cushionwith choccie eggs
Phoebelinas Treasurespound500
Easter Knitted BagsFluerette
pound300
Small Gorgeous FeltSpring Bouquets
Spare Minute Productionspound2000
WOW THANK YOU
Green And Brown PetalFlower Bracelet
Sprinkles Sparklespound3750 inc pampp
Handmade Pink Canvas Wall Art(Set of 3)
Craft on Canvaspound3900 inc pampp
Blue Easter ChickDharmapaintings
pound12 20 inc pampp
All prices correct at the time of publication
Favourite finds from around the crafting communityThis months focus is Easter and Spring
Click on the images to take you to their store
Best PicksUGLY BE GONE
Handpainted DottyDolly Pegs
Ticketty Boopound650
Quirky Motifs ShopperRachael Taylor
pound1500
Collette the Cow BibBaby Boutique
pound1100
The Cutie Pie - recycledpaper butterfly shadow boxThe WingSpan Collection
pound6421
Easter 1 Square PendantHappy Easter Spring Flowers
Miss Gooseberry Pendantspound321
ETSY
RETROEasterplastic springfling daisy clip-on earringsamber brown makes art
pound208ARTFIRE
Easter Egg Mini Cards 2x2 6Peculiar Parchment
pound170
Spring Chicks - Little FusedGlass Dish - Easter Gift
First Light Glasspound926
4 Chocolate Easter ParadeBunny Lollipops extra large
Candy Cottagepound741
All prices correct at the time of publication
What you will need3 x 10 inch lengths of purple Cylon cord10mm silver plated lobster clasp and clasp tag2 x silver plated fold over necklace endsApprox 24 Rose Quartz gemstone chip beads(holes need to be large enough to thread onelength of the cylon cord though)2 x 4mm silver plated jump rings
Rose Quartz is the stone of unconditionalloveIt purifies and opens the heart helping thewearer to love themselves as well as others
Rose Quartz draws off negative energy andhelps release unexpressed emotions
Encourages self forgiveness and acceptanceaids self trust and self worth
I find it easier to use a macrame board for making this type of bracelet as it make it easier tokeep the design neat but its not essential I use a simple board made from a cork notice boardand pins I also use nylon nosed pliers to fold over the necklace ends as I find metal pliers oftenleave marks but again they arent essential
Step 2 Thread a chip bead onto each of the outer lengths ofcord
Step 3 Cross the outer cordsover the middle one as youwould in a braid Then braid thecords again
Step 1 Attach one of thenecklace ends to one end ofthe three lengths of CyloncordYou can then use the hole inthe end to attach the braceletto your board
Make a Rose Quartz Bracelet
Step 6 Attach the secondnecklace end to the three cordwithout cutting them as it makesit easier The ends can then betrimmed with a craft knife orsharp scissors
Step 7 Using the jump ringsattach the clasp to one end ofthe bracelet and the clasp tagto the other
Step 4 Thread two chip beadson to the new outer lengths ofcord and braid as in the previousstep
Step 5 Repeat step three and four untilthe bracelet reaches seven inchesor your desired length
(The clasp section will measureapproximately one inch)
If the cord ends become frayed they canbe fixed with a little super glue
Step 8 And there you areOne finished rose quartzbracelet
Would you like to share a craft project with Creative Crafting
Let us know what project you would like toshare with us
Anything from jewellery knitting and crochetcrafts paper crafts or a craft you feel hasbeen forgotten about
Email thecrystalladycreative-craftingcom
Written by Elderberry Artshttpwwwelderberryartscouk
To those who are not yet aware Prince William and Kate Middleton will tie the knot this month onFriday 29th April in a quiet little ceremony at Westminster Abbey To some this may mean getting aday off to celebrate the nuptials or actually attend the whole affair To others like myself who areself-employed there will be no day off and hence little difference from a normal day but we can stillbe happy for the two love birds entering a state of marital bliss for the first timeIn these uncertain economic times I am not sure how the Royal Wedding will affect the economyhow much money will people want to spend Will this mean street parties like those that dominatemany peoplersquos memories from Prince Charles and Dianarsquos wedding back in 1981 Will there be arush to purchase ridiculously crass lsquosouvenirrsquo mugs plates tea towels or will the market just not bethere at all with all the unsold Royal Wedding goods in the pound shops by JuneThe handmade and crafting sector needs to be aware of the sales potential created by this Royalevent and so products should be made available to support the celebrations and possibly make thecountry feel good about itself again Maybe a lovely warm spring day in April will be good for thecountry and make it forget its economic woes for a few hoursWe asked a number of our sellers about their experience of the last big Royal Wedding (Charles andDiana) and what they are going to do this time to celebrate There were mixed feelings ndash manywere too young to remember much about the 1981 event and even though I remember a day offfrom school I cannot remember any street parties or spontaneous Mardi Gras This time around Ithink money will be a big factor and most people will not stray too far from a bit of home baking inred white and blue and also a show of patriotic bunting Union Jacks are quite the lsquoin thingrsquo at themoment for interior design and so a patriotic statement may double as being hip and trendy
Kim Lampard of Zigzag Bunting thinks a great way tocelebrate the Royal Wedding is to make your own buntingShe suggests pulling together a pile of fabrics that you nolonger need but that hold cherished memories for you forexample your daughterrsquos first cute dress a tea-towel youbought on a special holiday an old bedspread made by your
Granny Even if the items are damaged so cannot be passed on to others there is always a littlecorner that can be cut up into a triangle to make a bunting flag Mix a few of these together and ifyou have enough for a colour scheme (such as red white and blue) fine but donrsquot worry the flagsdonrsquot even need to be the same size Sometimes a shabby chic lsquoMix and Matchrsquo approach turns outto be perfect Sew the fabric triangles onto a piece of ribbon or bias tape and you will have awonderful string of bunting to decorate for the special day You and your family will remember notonly the Royal Wedding when you bring out that bunting but have extra glimpses of their past inthe fabrics Definitely a memento to cherish
Gaye Weekes of A amp V Designs now lives in Snowdonia North Wales and onlyan hour away from Anglesey where the Royal couple will begin their marriedlife She has no doubt had that His Highness has been hovering over theirremote valley in his helicopter over recent months Gaye plans to be flying redwhite and green Welsh bunting for the wedding Her bunting is made fromvintage fabric from the 1950s and 1960s - a cotton heavy woven greenand cream floral and a jolly red and white gingham She adds ldquo
rdquo
This article was written by
from
httpwwwwowthankyoucouk
Karine Ait-Mohamed of The Pink Fairy Cake isFrench but now lives in England She says ldquo
rdquo In the spirit of the occasion Karinehas produced a product that combines both England and France into the celebration Shehas produced sets of two Union Jack hearts filled with lavender from Chateau la Gabelle inHaute-Provence
Lisa MacDonald of LisaMollyMacDonaldis quite enthusiastic about the weddingand getting caught up in the glamour of the
occasion ldquo
rdquo
Lou Carswell of Loubie Jewels has some prettyfantastic red white and blue jewellery which wouldbe suitable for a Royal wedding celebration She told
us ldquo
rdquo
So what can we gather from these observations It will be a nice idea to celebrate the RoyalWedding If we apply a little lsquowartimersquo austerity (handmade lends itself to recycling andupcycling) we shouldnrsquot have to spend a fortune We can step back from commercialism andbe involved in a low key but meaningful way that will make the event more memorable for itssimplicity and just a little thrift God Bless William and Kate
Tell us about yourself
My name is Sandra Ritchie I live in Cleethorpes UK with my husbandJason my 10 year old daughter Alisha my 2 year old son Alfred andour dog Dumbledore Primarily I am a housewife but in my sparetime I make jewellery of all kinds from beaded pieces to metal workbut mainly I make custom-made bespoke precious metal jewellery
When did your crafting begin and why
Many years ago I studied Jewellery and Metal Art at college andover time Ive collected the tools I needed but never got round tosetting up a workroom until 2009 when my Husband pointed outthat our Utility Room would be perfect for me to set up as aworkroom to start making jewellery again It seemed ideal Ialready had people interested in me making them some jewelleryand it meant I could stay at home and look after the children as wellas try to establish a name for myself as a Jewellery designermaker
What was the first item you made to sell online
The first item I made to sell whilst not specifically to sell online was asilver octopus necklace commissioned by an acquaintance of mine thathad seen the silver octopus necklace that I made for myself whilst atcollege and wanted one like it She has since purchased the silver andcopper entwined Dragon necklace and a commissioned silver Dragonand is back on my list for another piece to be made My number onefan I think
What is your biggest crafting achievement and why
I love all the pieces Ive created especially my Custom work but myfavourite piece of all is the Greenman necklace I was approached tomake something as a surprise for someone and was basically giventhe opportunity to produce something different to my usual pieces Ilove making pieces that are based on peoples ideas of what theywant that is really special but the Greenman necklace was mydesign based on what the customer wanted it to represent I had toteach myself etching for the piece as its something Id never learntand Im really pleased with how it worked out
Other than crafting what else do you like to do
I love spending time with my children and family I love baking andcooking too and I suppose I should admit to enjoying the oddrelaxing glass (or bottle) of nice wine when the children are in bed
wwwlittlefairycultcouk
Where would you like to be in 5 years
In 5 years time Id love to be in a better financial position so I canbuy silver and make silver jewellery to sell that isnt just Custom-made Ive started sneaking a few pieces of precious metal jewellerythat are for general sale onto my site
Where does your inspiration come from
My inspiration is usually from the customers themselves They tell mewhat it is they want and I design a piece to reflect that Sometimes theyalter the design slightly to reflect more of how they want it and that isfine For my bead jewellery its usually what beads I have in myworkroom that inspire my beaded pieces I very rarely buy beads for thereason that I have a design idea and usually just buy mixed lots of beadsand work with what I have
What are your favourite materials and why
I really love working with precious metals There is somethinguniquely satisfying about taking a flat sheet of metal and turning itinto a beautiful piece of jewellery Thats why I take pictures of thepieces as I am making them so that other people and the customerwhos item it is can enjoy seeing it progress from a blank piece ofprecious metal into the finished piece
What is favourite shop online that isnrsquot yours and why
Oh my There are so many amazing websites offering beautiful andunique handmade items but I will always take a look at Etsy to see ifthere is anything that catches my eye on there They have such a largevariety of designerssellers making almost everything but the kitchen sink(though I bet if you looked hard enough youd find one on there) Ireally enjoy the little treasuries they do too where you can browse aselection of items that are grouped together by themes
Has any person helped or supported you more than any other
I have had a lot of support from the good friends I have gained on Twitter and of coursemy real life friends have been extremely supportive too but the main reason I actuallysorted out my workroom (or corner of the utility room) was due to my husband insistingthat I start making jewellery again Luckily his insistence and support paid off virtuallystraight away when a friend asked for the octopus necklace I mentioned earlier to bemade
Tell us a random fact about yourself
I have known the sex of each child and whether Id be carrying one or more before I evenconceived them Fairly random but fact nevertheless
Kit includes seed beads 5 x handmade glass beads choker wire x 3 banglewire x 2 ring wire x 3 jewellery pliers beading mat instructions
Makes 8 fabulous and individual pieces of jewellery without the need forfiddly findings books or other money-wasters
Beaded Jewellery Kitpound12Japan Crafts
A coordinating selection of beads plus step-by-step full colour instructions to make your own version of the Jungle Collar design Learn how to work peyote stitch edge it with drops and embellish it with a lush fringe and beaded flowers and leaves Let your beading imagination run wild
Each kit is hand-picked and slightly different so the beads you receive may not be the exact onesshown in the photograph but you can be certain that your necklace will be uniqueThe kit comes carefully packaged in a handy reusable storage box the only things yoursquoll need inaddition are a beading needle a spool of nylon beading thread and some sharp scissors
Beadweaving Kit for Jungle Collar
pound38Lynn Davy
Fairy Earrings Jewellery Making Kit - Ages 7yrs+
pound5Jewellery Making Kits
These single kits are fabulous for all crafty and creative girls They also make great presents for school friends nieces sisters or even grown ups Each kit includes Sterling Silver earwires or studs a small selection of flowers for the skirt a pair of wings a few coloured glass pearls for the heads silver headpin Organza Bag Full set of instructionsSuitable for ages 7 years and up Requires a pair of pliers to finish off - all instructions included
Bracelet Kit - Chunky Swarovski Pearl and Crystal with Toggle Clasp
pound750Wonderstuff Craft Kits
A little kit of bronze Swarovski pearls and Golden Shadow Swarovski crystals silk and toggle clasp
Kit includes 11 x Swarovski 12mm Pearls Colour - Soft Bronze 3 x Swarovski Crystal 8mm Rondelles - Colour - Golden Shadow 8 x Swarovski Crystal 4mmBicones Colour - Light Colorado Topaz 1 x Silver Plated Toggle Bar 1 x Silver plated Toggle RingBracelet length of threading silk Instructions
This kit contains top quality beads to make an exquisite braceletno special tools are needed
Jewellery making kits
from the small crafterWersquove found a selection of wonderful beading kits for allages and experience These are not massed producedsets but offered by the small crafter
This article was created by The Crystal Lady httpwwwmysticearthcouk
This Months
This months lsquoMan of the Monthrsquo is Ade (Adrian)EdmondsonChosen by MegampMillie
This months lsquoLady of the Monthrsquo is GwenStefaniChosen by Claire Pearcy from Elderberry Arts
httpwwwgwenstefanicom
httpwwwunrealitytvcouklets-dance-for-comic-relieflets-dance-for-comic-relief-results-ade-edmondson-and-eighties-super-group-make-next-weeks-final
(Nothing like an April Fools)
This months lsquoBlog of the Month Awardrsquo goes to lsquoItrsquos All Fiddle Fartrsquo
httpitsallfiddlefartblogspotcom
This months lsquoShop of the Month Awardrsquo goes to lsquoJulias DriftwoodFurniturersquo
httpwwwfolksycomshopsseasandview123
ww
wc
reativ
e-cr
afting
co
mw
ww
cr
eative-c
on
nec
tion
snin
gc
om
CREATIVE CRAFTING
Our next issue will be available to read on
1st June 2010If you have missed any of our issues you
can find them to read on our websitewwwcreative-craftingcom
And also on our Social Network Creative Connectionswwwcreative-connectionsningcom
To advertise in Creative Crafting or to submit an article please contact Annaat thecrystalladycreative-craftingcom
AUGUSTSUMMER 2010
Issue 5
By Crafters for Crafters
Check out our
CraftersDirectory
CREATIVE CRAFTING
By Crafters for Crafters
Issue 3
ValentinesMothers Day 2010
HandcraftedWeddingSpecial
Valentine ampMothers Day
Projects
Have youbeen
featured
By Crafters for Crafters
Issue 3ValentinesMothers Day 2010
Handcrafted
Wedding
SpecialValentine amp
Mothers Day
ProjectsHave you
been
featured
By
EASTER 2010
Issue 4
FATHERS DAY 2010
Issue 4
By Crafters for Crafters
Ch
eck out our
Craft
ersDirectory
AUGUSTSUMMER 2
010
Issu
e 5
By Craf
ters fo
r Craf
ters
Chec
k out our
Crafters
Directory
CREATIVE
C
RAFTINGAU
TUM
N H
ALLO
WEE
N 201
0Is
sue
7
CREA
TIVE
CRAF
TIN
G
By Craf
ters f
or C
rafter
s
Chec
k
out our
Craft
ersDirect
ory
An
niv
ersa
ry
Issu
e
Donrsquot forget
All of our links andadverts are fullyclickable
If you would like to embed our magazine into your website blog myspace page etc you can
customise the code to suit your style and size
AUTUMN HALLOWEEN 2010
Issue 7CREATIVE CRAFTING
By Crafters for Crafters
Check out our
CraftersDirectory
Anniversary
Issue
CHRISTMAS 2010
Issue 8
By Crafters for Crafters
FATHERS DAY 2010
Issue 4
By Crafters for Crafters
Check out our
Crafters
Directory
EASTER 2010
Issue 4
By Crafters for Crafters
By Crafters for Crafters
VALENTINES 2011Issue 9
CREATIVE CRAFTING
Join our friendly social Network
And make lots of new crafting friends
Become part of a wonderful community
Join in on the fun in the forum
Upload photos and videos to promote your creations
Customise our own profile page
Spend time in our chat room and host your own chat events
sponsored by
wwwcreative-connectionsningcom
Creative ConnectionsCrafterrsquos Network
EditorAnna - The Crystal Lady
thecrystalladycreative-craftingcomwwwmysticearthcoukwwwradiancecrystalscouk
Technical Editor
Avril - Sprinkles Sparklessprinkscreative-craftingcomwwwsprinklessparklescouk
Senior Features Writer
Diane - Peggyrsquos Knitswwwpeggyscollectionwebscom
Feature WritersTina - In the Garden
wwwtina-in-the-gardenblogspotcom
Tracey - Wowthankyouwwwwowthankyoucouk
wwwelderberryartscoukClaire - Elderberry Arts
wwwheartmadegiftswordpresscomDianne - Heartmade Gifts
wwwcreative-craftingcom
Creative Crafting is anAvanna Publication
wwwcreative-connectionsningcom
CREATIVE CRAFTING
ww
wc
reativ
e-cr
afting
co
m
1st June2011
Look out for ourFathers Day issue on
Your Creative Team
Anna - Editor Avril - TechnicalEditor
Diane - SeniorFeature Writer
ON OUR COVERSpring Squirrel Resin
Collage Broochby Raddington
By Crafters for Crafters
Issue 3ValentinesMothers Day 2010
Handcrafted
Wedding
SpecialValentine amp
Mothers Day
ProjectsHave you
been
featured
B
EASTER 2010
Issue 4
FATHERS DAY 2
010
Issue 4
By Craf
ters f
or Craf
ters
Chec
k out our
Craf
tersDirect
ory
AUGUST
SUM
MER
201
0Is
sue
5
By C
rafte
rs fo
r Cra
fters
Chec
k
out our
Craf
tersDire
ctory
CREA
TIVE
CRAF
TING
Donrsquot forget that you canadvertise your craftbusiness in CreativeCrafting magazinefrom only pound2
Visit our website for moreinformation or email us for acopy of our media pack
ww
wc
reativ
e-co
nn
ectio
nsn
ing
co
m
Donrsquot forget
All of our links andadverts are fullyclickable
For media packs please emailthecrystalladycreative-craftingcom
wwwcreative-craftingcomadvertisehtml
Lisa - Off with her Headwwwoffwithherheadcouk
wwwbeadsunlimitedcouk
Gemma - Beads Unlimited
wwwfolksycomshopsandrealesleycrochet
Andrea - Andrea Lesley Crochet
Page37 Page
15
Welcome to the April Issue of Creative Crafting
Spring is most definitely in the air the weather is improvingthe gardens are starting to wake up and we crafters are fullof new inspiration
This issue we are lucky enough to have lots of projects fromnew and regular faces for you to enjoy We also bid a sadfarewell to two of our favourite contributors Amy from MissBaclart Designs and AmyOrangeJuice These lovely ladieshave been with us for many issues now and we shall missthem but they have assured us that they will hopefully beback in the future Good luck ladies
We have some much awaited crochet projects this time sodo have a go and show us how you get on Donrsquot forget thatyou can join in all the crafting fun along with our regularcompetitions on our Facebook Page
httpwwwfacebookcomCreativeCraftingMagazine
See you all again in our Summer issueAnna
~ x ~
wwwcreative-craftingcom
In this Issue
Regular Features
Special Features
6 Crafters DirectoryThe best place to go whenyou are looking for thatspecial handcrafted item
Another visit with ourfavourite green fingeredfriend
A selection of handcraftedgemstone productsselected by our CrystalLady
A wonderful selection ofhandcrafted itemshandpicked by SprinklesSparkles
40 Online Street Best Picks
Discover unusual andforgotten crafts with TheCrystal Lady This issue wefind out about knitting withDog Hair
29 Weird and Wonderful Crafts
Sprinkles Sparkles finds morecraft items from both ends ofthe price scale
35 Budget amp Luxury
26 Tina in the Garden
15 Crystal Magic
More winners of our Blogand Shop awards and theall important lsquoman of themonthrsquo
49 This Months
Diane from Peggyrsquos Knitsreviews some of yourwonderful products
10 Di saw it first
Diane from Peggyrsquos Knitstracks down anotherCelebrity This issue shespeaks to Tania Vital
19 Dianes Celebrity Chats
Everyones favourite Awonderful recipe broughtto you by Dianes Mum
34 Who likes chocolate Cake
Recipes
Learn about the fascinatingworld of Millinery with Lisafrom Off With Her Head
16 If you want to get ahead get a hat
They may seem oldfashioned but just take alook at the beautiful itemsfound by The Crystal Lady
33 Luscious Lockets
Tracey from Wow ThankYou asks how people feelabout the the Royal Do
44 My Big Fat Royal Wedding
Kits donrsquot have to be massproduced
48 Jewellery making kits from the small crafter
16
33
19
12
30
wwwcreative-connectionsningcom
Interviews
Yoursquoll never look at brokenceramics the same wayagain
24 An Interview with Laura by the Sea
Sandra creates the moststunning metal jewelleryTake a look
46 An Interview with Little Fairy Cult
Sarah from Ragtag Rugshas a rug project for us
22 Rug Making
Dianne from HeartmadeGifts shares somewonderful Salt Dough Giftideas Perfect for Easterand Mothers Day
30 Easter Salt Dough
A long awaited crochetproject from the talentedAndrea Lesley Crochet
36 How to Crochet a flower brooch
Projects
Another wonderful projectand competition withGemma from BeadsUnlimited
12 Make your own striking Spring Necklace and Earrings
Claire from Elderberry Artsshows us how to make alovely fleece hat for thelittle ones
20 Make a childrenrsquos fleece hat
Another crochet projectfrom Andrea LesleyCrochet
37 How to Crochet a mobile phoneipod cosy
Heidi gives us a great ideafor old t-shirts
38 A Teenagers guide to lsquoGokrsquo up a t-shirt
Another stunning jewelleryidea with Elderberry Arts
42 Make a Rose Quartz Bracelet
29
44
20
46
24
34
If you would like to be featured in our directory please visit our website
Crafterrsquos DirectoryThe perfect place to find beautiful gifts
Handcrafted items are becoming a popular alternative tomass produced items
Lovingly created and often surprisingly inexpensiveBrowse through our directory and
click on the links to visit a world of beautiful craft shops
Off With Her HeadOff With Her Head
LamingtonsLemonade and
Custom made HealingJewellery
lsquoJust for yoursquo
PeggyrsquosCollection
Made with love and care
Ragtag Rugs
If you would like to be featured in our directory please visit our website
Crafterrsquos DirectoryThe perfect place to find beautiful gifts
Handcrafted items are becoming a popular alternative to mass produced itemsLovingly created and often surprisingly inexpensive
Click on the links to visit a world of beautiful craft shops
Averilpam Design Handcrafted one of a kind jewellery and bags Folksy
Designs By Isis Beautiful and unique handmade jewellery waiting for you to treatyourself Website
Elderberry Arts Hand crafted unique and uncommon silver gemstone glass gay andbisexual jewellery Website
Enigma Jewellery Unusual handmade jewellery amp gifts using Sterling Silver Hill TribeSilver Swarovski Crystals - most items are one off designs Folksy
Kokokelli Gorgeous Handmade Jewellery amp Greeting Cards at affordable prices Folksy
LauraFaye Crafts Eclectic gorgeous bright and contemporary - beaded jewellery andgifts resin jewellery polymer clay pieces cards and artwork Website
Madam CC Something old Something new Folksy
Mystic Earth Gemstone Healing Jewellery personal matching service available Website
Pretty Beautiful Designs byMaria
Unique handmade jewellery necklaces bracelets and earrings perfectfor every occasion from everyday to a big night out Website
RastafairyMalaika Beautifully crafted macrame jewellery with semi-precious stonesComissions taken Etsy
Rosie-Jo High quality handmade beaded jewellery featuring sterling silver semiprecious stones glass wood felt porcelain and tensha beads Misi
Snow Queen Trinkets Kiln Fused Dichroic Glass Jewellery Folksy
Sprinkles Sparkles Bespoke Handmade Jewellery and Accessories Website
The Jewellery Angel Cute Colourful and Kitsch Jewellery Folksy
The Vintage Jewellery Box Hand-designed vintage-inspired jewellery with a modern twist offering afresh alternative to girls who like to wear something a bit different Website
Neate Crafts Painting Knitting Pyrography amp lots more Misi
Painted Ghost Handmade accessories for baby and child home of the Bibbla Website
Crafterrsquos DirectoryThe perfect place to find beautiful gifts
Handcrafted items are becoming a popular alternative to mass produced itemsLovingly created and often surprisingly inexpensive
Click on the links to visit a world of beautiful craft shops
SudrsquonrsquoSoothe Juice Bar just got a new meaning Website
Radiance Crystals Bespoke Bridal and Occasion Jewellery Website
All things Nice The home of unique affordable arts and crafts Folksy
Diomo Glass A range of Stained Glass Gifts by a Stained Glass Artist I recycle glass tocreate gifts and other novel little items of interest fun and meaning Folksy
FloralGifts4U Beautiful floral gifts for all occasions Sock posies are our speciality Website
Lemonade and Lamingtons Homewares amp accessories fresh amp exciting Folksy
Ragtag Rugs Handmade rugs from recycled textiles Folksy
Court amp Spark Handmade Textiles by Phillippa Harding An original range ofDecorations Soft Furnishing Cards amp Gifts with a VintageRetro Twist Website
Dab and a Dash Unique handmade JournalsNotebooks Fabric covers and stitchedbinding Folksy
Kelso Kreations Handmade Gifts for that special occasion Folksy
Little ScruffsMiniature Mohair Artist Bears with loads of character Vintage style collectable Website
Moody Cow Designs Unique handmade handbags and accessories Folksy
pipdesigns Ipad Covers Purses Handbags - Designer amp Funky Fabrics Folksy
Wraggamuffins Handmade chocolate truffles a perfect Valentines gift to show someonehow much you love them Website
If you would like to be featured in our directory please visit our website
Ann Chandler Originals Unique bags and accessories in unusual fabrics including vintagekimono silks funky cotton prints and upcycled clothing Folksy
Off With Her Head Vintage Inspired Millinery hats and fascinators based on originalvintage designs illustrations and photographs and custom designs Website
Crafterrsquos DirectoryThe perfect place to find beautiful gifts
Handcrafted items are becoming a popular alternative to mass produced itemsLovingly created and often surprisingly inexpensive
Click on the links to visit a world of beautiful craft shops
Beads4Breakfast Artisan lampwork beads made in my kitchen studio Commissions taken Website
The Little Bead Box Beautiful Beads and Jewellery Supplies Folksy
UK Craft Store Novelty buttons and more Website
Abstract Cat Crafts Colourful high quality hand-dyed and hand-painted knitting yarn Website
Andrea Lesley Crochet Beautiful handmade crochet gifts Folksy
Joyknitt Joyknitt Knits Misi
NOfkants Curios Hand Knitted and Crocheted Unique Handbags Folksy
Peggyrsquos Knits Quality knitted items Website
Wharfedale Woolworks Hand painted yarns and custom knits Folksy
Creative CraftingAdvertise with
wwwcreative-craftingcomadvertisehtml
A mouse here could take customersto your store
We care about yourcraft business
Prices startfrom only pound2
The Broken Doll Unique greeting cards and gifts from The Doll for that something a littlebit different Folksy
Di saw it first craftreviews
Thank you to everyone that has sent in items for the review Such gorgeous handmade giftsThere really are many very talented people out there
All of these items are going to be able to be won by one of our lucky readers Could it be you
Delightful canvas personalised bag and hair accessoriesSo well made and presented gorgeously These would makesuch a good gift for any little girl Beautiful detail and somany choices of what to buy The details on them areexceptionalwwwjaydesignshairclipscouk
Gorgeous hand made beaded bracelet with little pink bowsso well made and would compliment any outfit
Has so many gorgeous pieces in her shop something foreveryone Comes in a gorgeous little organza bag packagedbeautifullywwwmychicuniqueetsycom
Handmade gorgeous card called Moonlit Bay This card isso stunning the details that have gone into it really show
A very professional finish and hand signed by the artistMimi who is based in Cornwall Mini makes some gorgeousitems and it is so nice to have her Cornwall influencesinspiring her artworkwwwartbymimicouk
This is a stunning necklace made with lampwork beads and Swarovskicrystalspearls and glass bicones with glass seed beads The coloursare amazing and really stand out
Packaged in a beautiful aqua organza bag to compliment thenecklace This would be a great gift for anyone and I am sure youwould get so many compliments from wearing thiswwwscottishprincesscouk
Di saw it first craftreviews
Recycled fabric notebookjournal has 3 pages and is A5 size with2 decorative pagesThe front page also has a pretty nameplate with 3D flowers on it
Made very well and would be an absolutely wonderful gift for any one to receive regardless of their age Although it is unsuitable for very young children due to the decorative disc on the front cover My nieces both loved this notebook and I am sure it would be a great gift for little girls and a very special keepsake book
wwwfolksycomshopsdabdash
Nursing necklace from a company called Booby and The BeadsAbsolutely stunning colours and made very well Pinks and reds reallycompliment each other Packaged in a beautiful pink organza bag
A great idea for a present for any ladyhttpwwwfacebookcompagesBooby-The-Beads-Nursing-Necklaces-Reminder-Bracelets -more157477778613
Lovely handmade bookmark made with material andcharms So different and would make an excellentgift Never seen a bookmark with so much detail onBefore
Gorgeous handmade charm packaged and has so muchdetail on it This would be perfect on your bag or keys and Iam sure everyone would ask where you bought it from Bothpackaged beautifullywwwd-k-designscouk
You could win all these goodies by entering our giveaway
Just enter you name and email address to be in fora chance of winning all these handmade gifts
wwwcreative-craftingcomgiveawayhtml
Closing date for entries is 31st May 2011
Written and reviewed by Peggyrsquos Knitshttppeggyscollectionwebscom
Make this simple striking necklace using beadedheadpins and chain to add a bold statement
to your favourite outfit
MaterialsI used Beads Unlimited products in the following quantities tocomplete the jewellery set -
100g x high quality glass mix pink tones (GLXH22)1 x 40 mm silver foil flat round lime green (GLCN4028)50 cm x heavy chain ( sold per meter) silver plated (CHHSP)2 x (1 pack of 10) 8 mm jump ring silver plated (JR8SP)1 x pack of 100 headpins silver plated (HPSP)2 x (1 pack of 6) long ballwires silver plated (LBWSP)1 x (1 pack of 12) eyepins silver plated (EPSP)1 x trigger clasp silver plated (TRGSP)You will also need a pair of multi pliers (CRMT)
Step 1 Thread thelime green beads ontoan eyepinWith the round nosedpart of the pliers bendthe eyepin into a loopdonrsquot close it yet
Step 2 Measure andCut 28 cm and 12 cmof chainAttach one length toeach eye on the beadedeyepin and close theloop
Step 3 Thread a beadof your choice from thepink mix onto a headpinTrim the headpin 1 cmabove the beadsAttach to the chain linknext to the lime greenbeads Close the loop
Gemma is inspired by everything around her from colourand form to the materials she uses and by using manytraditional techniques with contemporary ideas she createsjewellery with her individual style
Make your ownStriking Necklace and Earrings
Step 4 Continue to addbeads from the pink mixin the way to create atapered look on each sideThe shorter length of chainshould be beaded along 5 cmand the longer length 14 cm
Step 5 Attach and 8 mmjump ring to one and of thenecklace ends and a jumpring with a trigger clasp tothe other
Finished necklace
To make the earringsCut a 5 cm length of chain Attach a long ballwire to one end and bead inthe same way as the necklace Make sure you attach a bead to the endlineRepeat to make a pair
Designed by Gemma fromwwwbeadsunlimitedcouk
This necklace and earring set could be yoursVisit wwwcreative-craftingcomgiveawayto enter
Competition end date is -31st May 2011
Beautiful Jewellery to helpyou through life
wwwmysticearthcouk
These pieces of unique jewellery makethe perfect gift for a loved one or a much
needed treat for yourself
MYSTIC EARTH
Have you ever thought ofhaving a piece of
Gemstone and CrystalHealing Jewellery Created
lsquojust for yoursquoEach stone matched to your needs
The Crystal Lady at Mystic Earthcan offer you this service
Quality KnittedItems
httpwwwpeggyscollectionwebscom
PeggyrsquosCollection
Made with love and care
Mother Nature has provided us withwonderful Healing Gemstones and Minerals
PeridotFor this Issue discover the beauty of
(MgFe)2(SiO4)+AlCaMnNiCoCrTi
If you would likemore information about
Crystal Healing Jewelleryyou can contact
The Crystal Lady atthecrystalladymysticearthcouk
httpwwwmysticearthcoukor visit
In the Middle Ages Peridot was employed for warding off evil spiritsand to bestow wisdom and friendship
Mentally -Dissolves oppressive feelings that arise from self-blameAllows us to forgive ourselves
Physically - Peridot has a strong detoxifying effect and stimulates the liverEnhances the liver and gallbladder helps with skin problems even warts
Chakra - Heart Solar Plexus
Peridot Mini Hair Comb
pound14
Lime Crush
pound35Victorian Sterling Silver
Peridot Ring
$38
Chocolate Pearl and PeridotNecklace
$78Jasper Peridot Rhyolite
and Pearl Necklace
pound45
Peridot Chip Bracelet
pound7
As a woman in the UK today if you attend a wedding or the races andparticularly if you are lucky enough to go to Ladies Day at Royal Ascotthen it is usually expected that you should wear a hat or nowadaysa fascinator
If you want to get ahead get a hat
People have always worn hats in someform whether as a protective head covering oras a mark of status within society hats have alwayshad their place In the 15th century it was expectedthat women keep their hair covered wearing veilsand wimples and refashioned male hats were alsopopular
But it was not until the 17th century that womenrsquosheadwear began to take the familiar shape that it does today Bonnetsbecame increasingly popular and at times could be extremely elaboratetrimmed with ribbons lace and feathers
The term lsquomillinerrsquo meaning a maker of womenrsquos hats refers to products derived from Milan andNorthern Italy such as the straws and ribbons used in the making of hats
The haberdashers who imported of these products were known as lsquoMillanersrsquo from which we getthis term The first use of the term in the UK was in the 1700rsquos
Hats were extremely popular at the turn of the 20th century not only forspecial occasions Victorian hats were large brimmed and ornatelydecorated with flowers feathers ribbons and beads The austerity of theSecond World War led to their eventual decline as an everyday pieceof a womanrsquos wardrobe
Nowadays hats and the ever popular fascinator are seeing a resurgencenot in the least thanks to the influences of women such as Sarah JessicaParker Paloma Faith and of course Kate Middleton
Choosing a hat or fascinator needs careful consideration Height faceshape and personality all play a part in shaping your decision A boldfascinator is a statement piece and is certainly not for the shy
Everyone can wear some type of hat or fascinator its just a matter of finding the right one to suityou
There are some amazing British professional milliners working today not least including thelikes of Stephen Jones and Phillip Treacy but you will also find in the UK some wonderful millinersselling their designs on Etsy each producing unique designs to put the perfect finish to any outfitwhatever the occasion
Off With Her Head is run by self taught designer and milliner Lisa Poolewhose designs are fuelled by a love of vintage fashion and moviecostumes
Based in Fife Scotland she prides herself on creating each piece by handand loves to create bespoke pieces for her customers
Off With Her Head focuses on creating vintage inspired pieces andalthough Lisa creates hats and fascinators from various eras in historyshe admits to being a little biased towards the 1950rsquos as its her favouritedecade for fashion
Whatever direction Off With Her Head takes the ethos behind the businessremains the same - quality hats and fascinators at a reasonable price
Off With Her Head ndash Vintage Inspired Millinery
Etsy Store httpwwwetsycomshopmadamequeenyWebsite wwwoffwithherheadcouk
Annalisa Maria Millinery
Annalisa of Annalisa Maria Millinery has always adored hats andbeing the type of person who loves to make things she quitenaturally became interested in millinery
Trained at Kensington and Chelsea college famous for itsmillinery alumni where she learnt all the basics of the trade
She now works out of her London home producing beautifulone of a kind hats and head pieces
Etsy Store wwwetsycomshopdesignsbyannalisa
With so much choice there is absolutely no excuse not to finish your outfit with stunning hatfascinator or headpiecehellip and as they say
Written By Lisa PooleFrom Off With Her Headwwwoffwithherheadcouk
Ella Gajewska is a professional milliner working in London Hats are thelove of her life She has been working as a milliner since 1996 thoughher passion for hats started much earlier in her childhood when Ellacreated hats for her dolls to give them a bit more of an extravagantlook
Having achieved success in Poland where she was a milliners ateliermanager and an inspiring teacher for other young milliners she decidedto take her chances in London the world capital of hats
Since 2001 Ella Gajewska has had the chance of working for renownedateliers and milliners Working in England alongside the best designersof various head wear she has had the chance to develop and perfecther skills even more
Ella Gajewska
Etsy Store wwwetsycomshopEllaGajewskaWebsite wwwellagajewskacom
Little Miss B Design
Little Miss B started out making hats and accessories for herselfand friends uninspired by what was available on the high streetShe decided that shersquod like to give a wider audience the chanceto own a unique Little Miss B creation so began her foray intofashion and millinery
Her inspirations comes from days gone by when style andglamour were more apparent and the quality of craftsmanshipwas high From the 1920s to the 1960s vintage to rockabillyLittle Miss B brings it to the present day with a modern twist
Etsy Store httpwwwetsycomshopLittleMissBDesign
Ive always been artistic in one form or another As a child I always paintedand drew a lot At school I did everything from make a wooden fish pencilholder perspex badges pottery and childrens toys I was very into pencildrawings and shading but I loved using watercolour and other textures formy more cartoonManga style art
I was never very good at what back then was deemed the Girlie stuff I wasmore into woodwork and moulding and graphics This is probably what mademe choose my Bachelor of Science Degree in Architectural Technology Formy degree we used a lot of CAD (Computer Aided Design) to design buildings and building materialsWe also had to craft models of some of our own designs with foam board and other materials I wasin my element with this part of the curriculum
The great thing about craftdesignmaking things - whatever you want to call it is that there is a freedom in Art that you do not get anywhere else There is no right and wrong and no rules The rules come later At the point of concept it is just you and your imagination Which is very liberating and also quite scary because we are conditioned to think within the constraints of rules Art has no rules
Dianes Celebrity ChatsOur lovely Di from Peggyrsquos Knits chats to another celebrity about crafting
Tanya has worked on a number of shows the most recent being the character Adele Alfrey in ITVrsquos Emmerdale She has also worked on other familiar shows with awardwinning producers directors and writers She starred in the BBCcomedy Kerching Her first professional role was in Holby CityShe is also an accomplished presenter and budding playwrightTanya is a former student of the National Youth TheatreTanya told me how she has been artistic about how she sees artand her views on crafting
Please all take a look at Tanyarsquos website which ishttpwwwtanyavitalcom
What you will needFleece material - To determine the size needed- measure the circumference of your head(around your ears) and add 12 inch for seamallowance This will be the width and the lengthmeasurement is 20 inchesCotton thread in the same or contrasting colour
Average Head Sizes -
Newborn (6 months and younger)Circumference 14 to 17 inchesCrown 8 to 10 inches
Infant (6 to 12 months)Circumference 16 to 19 inchesCrown 11 to 12 inches
Child (12 months to 3 years)Circumference 18 to 20 inchesCrown 11 to 12 inches
Step 1 Lay out your fleece on a flat surface anddraw out a rectangle using the measurements forthe hat size required This should be 20 inches longand the width will be the circumference measurementof the size hat your making plus 12 inch seamallowance So to make a hat for a child with a headcircumference of 15 inches the width should be15 12 inches
Claire from Elderberry Arts shows us how to make achildrens hat from fleece material
Why not experiment this Easter holiday
Below are easy to follow instructions and a sizing guide
Thin length of fleece approx 12 inches by12 inchRuler or tape measureTailors chalk or penScissorsPinsSewing needles or sewing machine
Elderberrry Arts
Step 4 Place the right sides of the fleecetogether and pin along the length of thematerial Sew along this edge either by handor machine Knot ends and sewing inside thehem You can trim this hem to make it even andneater if needed
Step 5 Turn the hat right side out andarrange it so the seam is in the middleback From the bottom of your hatmeasure the crown length and place thefleece strip under the hat at this point
Step 6 Tie the ends of thestrip together and pull tightto gather hat
Step 7 Now cut the topsection of the hat into stripsapproximately 12 inch wide
Once youve cut all the wayround the strips can be trimmedto shorten them if required
You could also thread plastic ponybeads on some or all of the stripsknotting the bottom to secure them
Step 2 Cut out the rectangleof fleece Then cut a strip 12inches by 12 inch of fleecefrom the leftover material
Step 3 Pin a hem approx12 inch wide across theshorter length of fleece
Sew either by hand or machineKnot ends and sewing insidethe hem
Written by Elderberry Artshttpwwwelderberryartscouk
Rug Making Ragtag RugsWith
Looking for something fabulous to make using all your old T-shirts sweat shirts and other disusedgarments If so this could be the project for you
The craft of making rag rugs is very traditional and dates backto the mid eighteen hundreds itrsquos still very relevant today whatwith the importance of recycling the other great thing aboutit is that the design on the rug can pretty much be whateveryou want it to be - an image of your pet or your house anabstract or geometric design or something floral traditionalhellip itrsquos totally up to you and your imagination
The technique Irsquoll be using for this project is a method calledlsquohookingrsquo which is very simple and produces a soft and hardwearing pile Irsquove tried to keep everything simple and equipment to a minimum so that everyone canhave a go My favourite fabrics to use are the afore mentioned T-shirts and sweat shirts as they frayvery little but most textiles of a medium thickness can be used
MaterialsVirtually any material can be used in a rag rug some materials are easier to work with than othersThe best materials to use for hooking include T-shirts sweat shirts lightweight cottonssynthetics amplightweight woolsynthetic jumpers Fabrics such as heavy weight denim are not suitableFor this project Irsquove used plain fabrics but patterned fabrics can also be used
HookingStep 1 Working with the Hessian design side up poke the hook through the Hessian and grab thestrip of fabric underneath with the hook
Step 2 Pull the end of the strip of fabric up through the Hessian so that you leave a tail of at least1 cm sticking up
Step 3 Move the hook along about half a centimeter poke it back down through the Hessian andpull a loop of fabric up through to the top of the Hessian a loop height of about 1 cm is best thenjust repeat this technique filling in the required area when you reach the end of a fabric strip pullthe end up through the Hessian and trim it so itrsquos the same height as the loopsMake sure your loops are dense enough and you canrsquot see any of the Hessian backing There is noneed to physically fix the loops in place as they will stay put automatically due to the thickness ofThe fabric and the denseness of the loops
What you will needA piece of Hessian measuring 90 cm x 110 cmSelection of fabrics cut into strips measuring1 - 2 cm wide depending on the thickness ofthe fabric and avoid any seamsRug hookDressmakers pinsScissors
Large-eyed needleBall of woolMarker penYard stick metre ruler2 sheets of thin A4 card or a flattened cereal packetCompassPencil
Ragtag Rugs Rug Making Ragtag RugsWith
Step 1 Using the compass and pencildraw two circles measuring 185 cmacross on the sheets of card and cut theseout using the scissors
Step 2 Using the marker pen and metre rule draw a rectangle on the piece of Hessian measuring63 cm x 84 cm leaving a boarder of about 12 cm all the way around the rectangle Divide therectangle into four giving you central lines for the width and length of the rug Place the card spotson the Hessian in the appropriate places and draw around them using the marker pen for the halfand quarter spots fold one of the card templates accordingly and then draw around it Draw in yourdesigns within the spots
Step 3 Fold under the raw edges of the Hessian and stitch with arunning stitch using the large-eyed needle and wool this is to preventthe Hessian fraying selvedge edges can be left as they are
Step 4 Hook in the strips of fabrics filling in the spots first and then thebackground You can either use the design shown here or make up yourown spots and colour scheme
Step 5 When completed lay the rug face down on the floor and turn in a hem of about 6 cms tothe back of the rug and pin it all the way around fold and pin the corners as neatly as possibleSew the hem to the back of the rug with a running stitch using the large-eyed needle and woolVoila You have a rug
wwwfolksycomshopsragtagrugs
Written by Ragtag Rugs
SupplierFor an American Style Rug Hook costing about pound750 and also Hessian go to Fred Aldous CraftSupplies wwwfredaldouscouk
NoteSome people prefer to use a rug making frame which helps to keep the rugsquare but as the rug wersquore making here is fairly small and wersquore keepingthings simple Irsquove dispensed with this
The first item I sold online was on my Folksy shop(httpwwwfolksycomshopsLaurabyTheSea) and was a vintage ceramic andbead brooch the buyer was very pleased with it and gave me great feedback
Tell us about yourselfMy name is Laura and I live by the sea in the East of England Pakefield to be precise I live with my wonderful Brother who is a musician so we have a very creative household and in our bright conservatory I make ldquoLaura by The Seardquo jewellery (from necklaces brooches amp bracelets to ear rings and hair slides) using vintage ceramics I break vintage crockery hand sand it to ensure there are no sharp edges and make the shards into beautiful jewellery
When did your crafting begin and whyI began studying ceramics during my BA Hons degree in Fine Art at The University of Portsmouthwhich is where my obsession for vintage crockery began to grow Initially I began by making newplates and tea cups with vintage shards in but soon the beauty of the ceramic shards startedappealing to me which is when I had the idea of making jewellery out of them - and one day I justdid it and havenrsquot stopped since I just love how the cute patterns really stand out against the silverchain
What was the first item you made to sell online
What is your biggest crafting achievement and why
I think my biggest crafting achievement since starting Laura by The SeaJewellery has to be getting interviewed for the national ldquoMAKE Jewelleryrdquomagazine as their new ldquoIt accessoryrdquo designer I totally didnrsquot expect themto contact me via my Folksy store
Other than crafting what else do you like to do
In my spare time I like to paint I write I stronglybelieve it is the simple things in life that count I am a collectorof anything old with a story and pick up anything found on the seashore First morning sunshine trawling antique treasure troves walks on the sand with my pooch Sepia tones and seeing life through a lens makes me happy I do a photographyfashion blog(laurabytheseatumblrcom) and am a very sociable person These are a fewof my favourite things and yes that should include raindrops on roses andbrown paper packages tied up with string
Where would you like to be in 5 years
In 5 years time I would love to be able to do this on a full time basis tomake enough money to live I am aiming to have my jewellery sold in manyUK wide independent stores and hopefully a few abroad However theultimate dream is to have my jewellery featured in Vogue
The first item I sold online was on my Folksy shop(httpwwwfolksycomshopsLaurabyTheSea) and was a vintage ceramic andbead brooch the buyer was very pleased with it and gave me great feedback
Where does your inspiration come from
My inspiration comes from trawling antique and vintage shops photography (one of my current favphotographers is Elizabeth Sarah from America) and I am always inspired by other people When Iget talking with my friends about anything creative the juices start flowing and I get more designideas I am also inspired and work along with music (anything from RampB amp Hip-hop to Reggae andJazz I have an eclectic mix)
What are your favourite materials and why
Vintage ceramics because I adore the vintage floral prints on the crockeryand like the idea of being as eco-friendly as possible and like to only userecycled materials in my jewellery
What is favourite shop online that isnrsquot yours and why
My favourite online shop has to be Loglike a contemporary gift and home ware store with vintageelements The owner makes cute candlesticks from vintage plates and saucers that look amazing onmy coffee table (see httpwwwfolksycomshopsLoglike)
Has any person helped or supported you more than any other
I would have to say my parents and Brother Not just financially when Iwas a poor struggling student but they are supportive with everything Ido in life and I just couldnrsquot do without them My brother is more like abest friend
Tell us a random fact about yourself
I have 23 dresses in my wardrobe and have a vinyl collection of mostly 1980rsquos music (my guiltypleasure)
httpwwwfolksycomshopsLaurabyTheSea
Visit
Lauraat
in the GardenHi Irsquom Tina
Good to have you visit with me again in The GardenI think we will sit in the conservatory this morning the sun is juststreaming in it is so wonderful to feel the warmth after such a coldwinter I have the kettle on and some little iced biscuits butremember we must not over indulge me especially as I have notbeen working in the garden so much just sitting in doors munching
Well Spring is here at last and it does seem to be in a hurrythis year the crab apple is already in bud and also the fruittrees
I had my own little piece of garden and the plants therewere in my charge if I forgot to water them and theydied mother would say you have to be responsible givethem a little care and you will be rewarded with so muchbeauty and as I look around the garden today thebeauty just takes my breath awayI checked out the herbs after the winter and just look atthis monster itrsquos the parsley how great is this
Here is a photo of the willow catkins or lambs tails as mymother used to call them she was a country woman andknew every wild flower by their old country names sheloved all nature and her garden and was my inspirationfrom an early age
wwwtina-in-the-gardenblogspotcom
Also I think that this flower is really confused it is of coursean antirrhinum when I emptied the summer bedding fromthe tubs some were still fine so I planted them in thegarden and as you can see have been well rewarded Alsosome silver foliage plants which I cannot remember thename of and of course have lost thelabel they seem to think that it isalready summer
At the moment you can get into the bog it does not look half as mysterious as it does inthe summer you can even see the streamMy better half and I have one or two projects this summer well I have theideas and he makes them work howlucky am I So watch this space
Oh you have to leave well thank you again for coming be safe until your next visit withme in The Garden
Your green fingered friendTina
The bluebells are coming throughin the wood not long now beforethey flower they have to hurrybefore the trees get their leaves
Creative CraftingAdvertise with
wwwcreative-craftingcomadvertisehtml
A mouse herecould take customers
to your store
We care about yourcraft business
Prices startfrom
only pound2
There are a lot of different crafts to choose fromThis series of articles will discover some of the more unusual and also some
old world crafts that may have been almost forgotten
This article was created by
The Crystal Ladyhttpwwwmysticearthcouk
Sold by Amazon
Knitting with Dog Hairby Anne Montgomery
Contains easy step-by-step instructions for collecting cleaningstoring and spinning your dogs fur The book includes originalknitting patterns for the novice and the pro - from mittens toshawls to lace collars from your cats hair
How to Knit a Dog Hair Sweater
E-How
The brushed undercoat of a dog is called chiengora and can be used for knittingcrocheting or felting just like lambs wool or other yarn Dogs hair has been used forcenturies for weaving blankets and other coverings Dogs hair is much warmer thanwool Here is how to knit a sweater from dog hair
After the tutorial the writer goes on to leave a warning that dog hair is much warmerthan wool and an entire garment made of dog hair will be too hot to wear
I also found a very fascinating article about a lady called Laurie Moy on the Boulder DailyCamera website
Better a sweater from a dog you know and love than from a sheepyoull never meet
Warp and woof-woof Making clothes out of dog hair
Read more Boulder Daily Camera
This was discovered in an American newspaper by Creative Craftings Tinawe just had to tell you about it
I did some Googling about this and apparently there is quite alot about it I found a tutorial on the popular E-How site
Irsquom sure like me yoursquoll find this quite fascinatingIf any of our spinners out there fancy a go atcreating some yarn from their pooches we wouldlove to see some of the results It is also a greatidea for recycling all of that fluff that you areconstantly sweeping up off your sofa or yourcarpet There really is a use for most things afterall
Salt dough is so quick and easy (and therapeutic) to make endlessly adaptable a joy to sharewith the kids and has the advantage of being made from store-cupboard basics (although youcould make these projects in clay or fimo or even plasticine)The drawbacks are that it takes a while to cookpaintvarnish it will dissolve in wet or very dampconditions and will break if you drop it So allow yourself a couple of days to produce a finishedpiece and varnish thoroughly when decorated to protect against any damage
Making a Batch of Salt Dough
1 Mug of Table Salt2 Mugs of Plain FlourApprox 1 Mug of Tepid Water (Add final frac14 slowly)1 Tablespoon of Olive or Vegetable Oil (Optional)
Mix the flour and salt together in a bowlIf you are using oil (which helps to add elasticity but is optional and not necessary) add it to themug of water Add the water (with or without oil) to the salt and flour mixAdd most of the water stirring into the dry ingredients with a wooden spoon Add the last of thewater carefully as you will need more or less depending on humidity and the gradequality of theflourYou need to add enough to bind the ingredients without making it too sticky Empty onto a lightlyfloured surface and knead for at least ten minutes until the dough is smooth and slightly warm
A Few Tips for Modelling Salt DoughRoll out salt dough onto a lightly floured surface with a floured rolling pin or you could use abottle if you havent got a rolling pin Gently flattening salt dough with the heels of your hands willwork too but keep moving the dough to keep it even and turn it over to the fresh smooth sidejust before you begin cutting shapesKeep the thickness of your pieces under an inch much thicker than this and they wont hardenproperly in the middleUse a sharp knife to cut salt dough shapes but a blunt knife (or the back of a knife) is useful whenmarking lines onto the dough A scalpel or craft knife is best for cutting out intricate shapesUse pastry cutters plasticine moulds forks hair grips scrubbing brushes experiment withanything you have lying around the house
Cooking Salt DoughCook your salt dough pieces slowly in a very low oven The cooler and slower the better to preventdistortion in the cooking process These pieces were cooked at 140275 degrees or Gas Mark 1 forapproximately 2 hours but I often leave them all day in the oven at its lowest setting
Heartmade Gifts
Decorating Salt DoughYou can decorate your pieces before or after the cooking process Try adding food colouringherbs and spices tea or coffee to your dough as you knead it Or try painting your uncooked piecewith an egg wash for a lovely golden glowExperiment with various mediums on cooked pieces Gouache and acrylics work well but posterpaint is fine (if a little limited in colour variation) and you could try chalks felt tips or crayonsUse glue to add decorations including glitter sequins fabric bows tiny scraps of paper etcIts nice to leave the dough perfectly natural sometimes and sometimes a combination of naturaldough and painted areas works very wellVarnish thoroughly Any varnish will work I tend to use a spray varnish as a first coat to set thepaints then I add a few coats of a super store own brand wood varnish (If you need yourfinished piece to be especially waterproof try yacht varnish but be aware that it will tend tochange the colours making them yellowish)Use a small brush to get into all the nooks and crannies and allow each coat to dry thoroughlybefore applying the next one The more coats you apply the better protected your final pieceHowever unvarnished salt dough I have made for personal use (or the odd forgotten piece) hassurvived very well even in a slightly damp old house So dont let a lack of varnish deter you fromtrying salt dough But if you are creating a family heirloom four or five coats of a good varnish willensure it lasts for yearsTry these two Easter projects the ldquoEgg-stra Specialrdquo eggs are very quick and simple enough to dowith small children the primrose basket takes a while and is a little fiddly but well worth tryingand very easy to adapt by choosing your own flower or perhaps some other motif
~ Egg-stra Special Eggs ~
1 Form an egg shape from a small ball of dough by rolling in your hands and pressthis gently onto your baking tray(Its easier to build your salt dough pieces directly onto the tray you will use tocook them rather than try and move them while they are still uncooked I havebuilt my eggs onto the kitchen surface because it will be easier for you to see whatIm doing)
2 Roll out a piece of salt dough and use it to cover the bottom end of youregg like a blanket When you are happy with the position gently lift andrun a wet paintbrush between the two pieces to glue them together
3 Cut out an egg cup shape around your egg
4 Use a damp paintbrush to push the egg cup onto the eggand ensure it sticks
(A damp paintbrush also helps soften edges and blend any creases or cracks)
5 Uncurl an old metal paperclip and push into the dough to form a hangingloop You can use a piece of any wire I try and use paperclips or a piece of wire
coat-hanger as I like to recycle An alternative hanging method is to create a smallhole (or two holes for larger pieces) and thread a ribbon or piece of leather shoelacethrough the hole tying it to make a loop)
6 Cut out a small bow shape from a piece of flattened dough
7 Cut two ribbon ends from a rectangle of flattened dough
8 Use a wet paintbrush to layer the ribbon ends onto thetop of your egg
9 Attach the bow in position And add a small piece to the centre ofthe bow to finish
10 Cook
11 Decorate in whatever way takes your fancy hellip have fun
~ Primrose Basket ~
1 Cover a bowl in greaseproof paper and turn upside down onto your baking tray
2 Roll out some dough to approx 5mm thickness and cut into thin stripslong enough to cover your bowl
3 Lay four of these strips across the bottom ofyour bowl
4 Begin weaving four in the opposite direction by gently liftingalternate strips out of the way laying the cross strip and replacingthe lifted strips
5 Then add one strip to each side until you reach the edge of the bowl
6 Trim the edge with a knife or fold the stripsback to form a rough bowl lip You can indentsomething on the dough to secure anddecorate
7 Cook
8 Carefully remove the bowl and paper
9 Make primrose flowers and leaves and glue them to the rim with a wetpaintbrush replacing your bowl in the oven for a short whileLeaves ndash cut rough leaf shapes out of a piece of flatted dough and mark theveins and indent the edges with the back of a knifeFlowers ndash use a small heart cutter to cut 5 heart shapes and place on the rim with pointstogether indenting the centre with your fingertip and then marking with the end of a paintbrushPaint with whichever medium you prefer or have to hand I have used acrylics here leaving thebasket natural and painting the primrose leaves green and the flowers yellow adding someorange to the centres of the flowers while the yellow is still damp for a blurred effect
This article was written by Diannefrom Heartmade Gifts
Join Heartmade Gifts on Facebook
wwwheartmadegiftswordpresscom
Lilac Lace Heart LocketJewellery by Bina
Vintage Victorian StyledSweetheart Locket
Miss Bohemia
pound17
pound15
Emerald Bewitched
youmin
$40
The Bright Forest Locket
marisolspoon
$35
Cameral Locket
mydogandi
$2750
Creative CraftingFavourite
This article was created by
The Crystal Ladyhttpwwwmysticearthcouk
Lockets may sound very old fashioned but if you have a wander through thehandmade sites you will find a wealth of very modern and extremely beautifuldesigns Perfect for you to carry your loved ones with you wherever you go
Bee Joyful LocketThe Whimsical Wren
pound10
SteampunkWatch Mechanism
Locketedmdesigns
$85
Luscious LocketsLuscious Lockets
Who likes Chocolate CakeThis is a great recipe for Easter Mothers day or any other daylets admit it we all love chocolate
Ingredients
7 oz self raising flour8 oz caster sugar1 teaspoon of salt2 tablespoons of cocoa powder4 oz margarine2 eggs beaten with5 tablespoons evaporated milk5 tablespoons water1 teaspoon vanilla essence
1 Sift together flour sugar and salt and cocoa2 Rub in margarine3 Stir in eggs essence and liquids then beat well4 Grease and flour 2 8 inch cake tins divide the mixture between them5 Bake in a moderate over 325-350 F gas mark 3 about 35 minutes6 When cold sandwich together and cover in milk chocolate icing
Milk chocolate Icing
Ingredients
2 and a half oz margarine or butter4 tablespoons cocoa8 oz sieved icing sugar3 tablespoons hot milk1 teaspoon vanilla essence
Melt the margarine or butter and blend incocoa powder then stir in icing sugar milkand vanilla essence Beat until smooth andthick
We hope you all enjoy the recipe we would love to see anypictures of chocolate cakes that you make
Instructions
Instructions
Written and reviewed by Peggyrsquos Knitshttppeggyscollectionwebscom
By Sprinkles Sparkleshttpwwwsprinklessparklescouk
All prices are correct at the time of publication
Budget amp LuxurySpring special
Woodland DaffodilsCharm Bracelet
Coco Angel Rosepound1600
Spring Flower Hair ClipFlutter2me
pound450
Spring flowers broochDi Does Craft
pound800
Pink Spring Clutchfunky diva designs
pound1750
Cupcake BuntingCotton Cottage
pound1650
Purple TulipsWildrose Ridge
pound350
Chickadees and LilacsStained Glass WindowStained Glass Addie
pound4940
The Charlotte - SageRosalind Jamespound14500
Springtime 16 Crayon RollApple n Amos
pound509
Buttercup earrings in softyellow with peridot and brass
Goblins Marketpound401
Springtime DalaFolk Horse HangingDecoration - YellowCourt and Spark
pound400
D A P H N E - BrokenChina Plate Pendant
and Sterling Silver NecklaceDesigns by Mila
pound2228
To make the leaves
Using DK yarn and 300 mm hook make 5 leaves as follows
Rnd 1 9ch dc in 2nd ch 1htr in next ch 1tr in each of next 6ch 3ch ss in base of last tr worked
Now work on opposite side of stitches by turning the work
Rnd 2 3ch 1tr in each of next 6ch 1htr in next ch dc ss in top of first stFasten off and sew in loose ends
Materials
Small quantity of DK yarn I have used a yarn with awool-mix but any DK yarn of your choice will be suitableSmall quantity of kid mohair yarn (use two strands together)300 mm hook200 mm hookOne large buttonBrooch pinSewing needle
To make the small rose
Using a 200 mm hook and working two strands of kid mohair yarn together 13ch
Rnd 1 1tr 2ch 1tr in 4th ch (skip 2ch 1tr 2ch 1tr in next ch) 3 times (4 v- spaces)
Rnd 2 3ch 6tr into next v-space 1dc into space between v-spaces Continue with 6tr into eachv-space and 1dc in between spaces until end ss into last ch Fasten off
Roll the work with fingers from start to finish to create a small rose flower and sew together at thebase
Assembling the brooch
Turn the flower so the right side is facing up and sew the button in the centre of the flowerAttach the rose to the centre of the button as shown in diagram Sew a brooch pin to the back of theflower to complete the brooch
Arrange the 5 leaves to form a circle so thecorners of the leaves are touching Sew eachcorner together to form the petals of aflower
Turn the work so the wrong side is facing upand close the hole by sewing together withthe same DK yarn used to make the leaves
Crochet Flower Brooch
ch - chain stitchdc - double crochethtr - half treble crochetss - slip stitchtr - treble crochetst - stitch
Crochet Mobile PhoneiPod Cosy
Materials
50g Dk yarn in mustard colourSmall quantity of DK yarn in bright pink for picot edgingof cosy and small roseSmall quantity of DK yarn in sage green for leaves of roseflowerSize 300mm hook
Instructions for the cosy
The cosy can be made to fit a mobile phoneiPod of your choice
Pattern note the pattern is worked in dc throughout and worked in the round using the tapestrycrochet method of crochet This involves carrying a second yarn below the first making it verystrong
Foundation row
Using one strand of DK yarn in mustard make a chain that measures the width of your mobilephoneipod
Rnd 1 dc across row until the last chain 2dc in last chain Turn work
Rnd 2 Begin to carry a second strand of mustard yarn throughouteach round and every round from now on This yarn is not worked butcarried below the first strand of yarn
Work along the opposite side of the row just worked 1dc in first ch1ch in each chain until the last chain 2dc in last chain Now mark thelast stitch just worked with a different colour yarn so you can see theend of the round and keep moving this marker up to the last stitchworked
Rnd 3 Dc in each chain around working in spirals moving the stitchmarker as the piece grows Continue until the work measures thedesired length to fit the mobileiPod Fasten off and tie in loose ends
ch - chain stitchdc - double crochethtr - half treble crochetss - slip stitchtr - treble crochetst - stitch
Instructions for rose flower
Rnd 1 Using DK yarn in bright pink 1tr 2ch 1tr in 4th ch (skip 2ch1tr 2ch 1tr in next ch) 3 times (4 v- spaces)
Rnd 2 3ch 6tr into next v-space 1dc into space between v-spacesContinue with 6tr into each v-space and 1dc in between spaces untilend ss into last ch Fasten off
Roll the work with fingers from start to finish to create a small rose flower and sew together at thebase
Instructions for leaves
Using DK yarn and 300mm hook make 2 leaves as follows
Rnd 1 5ch dc in 2nd ch 1htr in next ch 1tr in each of next 2ch 3ch ss in base of last tr workedNow work on opposite side of stitches by turning the work
Rnd 2 3ch 1tr in each of next 2 ch 1htr in next ch dc ss in top of first st Fasten off and sew inloose ends
Assembly
Sew the leaves to the reverse of the rose and attach to the cosy as shown in the picture
Picot edging
Rnd 1 Using DK yarn in bright pink dc into each stitch around the edge of the cosy opening ss tofirst dc
Rnd 2 3ch ss into 2nd chain from hook ss into base of 3ch dc into next 2ch 3ch continuefrom to ss into last ch Fasten off and sew in loose ends
Written by Andrea Lesley Crochethttpwwwfolksycomshopsandrealesleycrochet
Materials
T - shirt - colour your choiceScissorsChainSewing needle and threadCorsage or embellishments
Step 1 First get a plain whitet-shirt
Step 2 Then cut off the neck Step 3 Now sew two pieces of chain to each side of where theneckline should be
Step 4 Cut a triangle out ofthe bottom of the t-shirt
Step 5 Tie the two ends thatare left into a knot or bow
Step 6 Finally add a corsageor flower to the front
Step 7 Now you have a bang on trend crop top simply wear over a vest top I loved designing andgokking up this t-shirt it took minutes and didnt cost a lot either
Corsage made by Madam SalamihttpwwwetsycomshopMadamSalami
Written By Heidi Jackson
Favourite finds from around the crafting communityThis months focus is Easter and Spring
Click on the images to take you to their store
Online StreetMISI
Ring With A FlowerBlue Fish Handmade
pound800
Spring necklace in glassand sterling silver
RosieJo Jewellerypound1275
Easter Eggs CardNaomi Constable
pound250
FOLKSY
Easter rabbit cushionwith choccie eggs
Phoebelinas Treasurespound500
Easter Knitted BagsFluerette
pound300
Small Gorgeous FeltSpring Bouquets
Spare Minute Productionspound2000
WOW THANK YOU
Green And Brown PetalFlower Bracelet
Sprinkles Sparklespound3750 inc pampp
Handmade Pink Canvas Wall Art(Set of 3)
Craft on Canvaspound3900 inc pampp
Blue Easter ChickDharmapaintings
pound12 20 inc pampp
All prices correct at the time of publication
Favourite finds from around the crafting communityThis months focus is Easter and Spring
Click on the images to take you to their store
Best PicksUGLY BE GONE
Handpainted DottyDolly Pegs
Ticketty Boopound650
Quirky Motifs ShopperRachael Taylor
pound1500
Collette the Cow BibBaby Boutique
pound1100
The Cutie Pie - recycledpaper butterfly shadow boxThe WingSpan Collection
pound6421
Easter 1 Square PendantHappy Easter Spring Flowers
Miss Gooseberry Pendantspound321
ETSY
RETROEasterplastic springfling daisy clip-on earringsamber brown makes art
pound208ARTFIRE
Easter Egg Mini Cards 2x2 6Peculiar Parchment
pound170
Spring Chicks - Little FusedGlass Dish - Easter Gift
First Light Glasspound926
4 Chocolate Easter ParadeBunny Lollipops extra large
Candy Cottagepound741
All prices correct at the time of publication
What you will need3 x 10 inch lengths of purple Cylon cord10mm silver plated lobster clasp and clasp tag2 x silver plated fold over necklace endsApprox 24 Rose Quartz gemstone chip beads(holes need to be large enough to thread onelength of the cylon cord though)2 x 4mm silver plated jump rings
Rose Quartz is the stone of unconditionalloveIt purifies and opens the heart helping thewearer to love themselves as well as others
Rose Quartz draws off negative energy andhelps release unexpressed emotions
Encourages self forgiveness and acceptanceaids self trust and self worth
I find it easier to use a macrame board for making this type of bracelet as it make it easier tokeep the design neat but its not essential I use a simple board made from a cork notice boardand pins I also use nylon nosed pliers to fold over the necklace ends as I find metal pliers oftenleave marks but again they arent essential
Step 2 Thread a chip bead onto each of the outer lengths ofcord
Step 3 Cross the outer cordsover the middle one as youwould in a braid Then braid thecords again
Step 1 Attach one of thenecklace ends to one end ofthe three lengths of CyloncordYou can then use the hole inthe end to attach the braceletto your board
Make a Rose Quartz Bracelet
Step 6 Attach the secondnecklace end to the three cordwithout cutting them as it makesit easier The ends can then betrimmed with a craft knife orsharp scissors
Step 7 Using the jump ringsattach the clasp to one end ofthe bracelet and the clasp tagto the other
Step 4 Thread two chip beadson to the new outer lengths ofcord and braid as in the previousstep
Step 5 Repeat step three and four untilthe bracelet reaches seven inchesor your desired length
(The clasp section will measureapproximately one inch)
If the cord ends become frayed they canbe fixed with a little super glue
Step 8 And there you areOne finished rose quartzbracelet
Would you like to share a craft project with Creative Crafting
Let us know what project you would like toshare with us
Anything from jewellery knitting and crochetcrafts paper crafts or a craft you feel hasbeen forgotten about
Email thecrystalladycreative-craftingcom
Written by Elderberry Artshttpwwwelderberryartscouk
To those who are not yet aware Prince William and Kate Middleton will tie the knot this month onFriday 29th April in a quiet little ceremony at Westminster Abbey To some this may mean getting aday off to celebrate the nuptials or actually attend the whole affair To others like myself who areself-employed there will be no day off and hence little difference from a normal day but we can stillbe happy for the two love birds entering a state of marital bliss for the first timeIn these uncertain economic times I am not sure how the Royal Wedding will affect the economyhow much money will people want to spend Will this mean street parties like those that dominatemany peoplersquos memories from Prince Charles and Dianarsquos wedding back in 1981 Will there be arush to purchase ridiculously crass lsquosouvenirrsquo mugs plates tea towels or will the market just not bethere at all with all the unsold Royal Wedding goods in the pound shops by JuneThe handmade and crafting sector needs to be aware of the sales potential created by this Royalevent and so products should be made available to support the celebrations and possibly make thecountry feel good about itself again Maybe a lovely warm spring day in April will be good for thecountry and make it forget its economic woes for a few hoursWe asked a number of our sellers about their experience of the last big Royal Wedding (Charles andDiana) and what they are going to do this time to celebrate There were mixed feelings ndash manywere too young to remember much about the 1981 event and even though I remember a day offfrom school I cannot remember any street parties or spontaneous Mardi Gras This time around Ithink money will be a big factor and most people will not stray too far from a bit of home baking inred white and blue and also a show of patriotic bunting Union Jacks are quite the lsquoin thingrsquo at themoment for interior design and so a patriotic statement may double as being hip and trendy
Kim Lampard of Zigzag Bunting thinks a great way tocelebrate the Royal Wedding is to make your own buntingShe suggests pulling together a pile of fabrics that you nolonger need but that hold cherished memories for you forexample your daughterrsquos first cute dress a tea-towel youbought on a special holiday an old bedspread made by your
Granny Even if the items are damaged so cannot be passed on to others there is always a littlecorner that can be cut up into a triangle to make a bunting flag Mix a few of these together and ifyou have enough for a colour scheme (such as red white and blue) fine but donrsquot worry the flagsdonrsquot even need to be the same size Sometimes a shabby chic lsquoMix and Matchrsquo approach turns outto be perfect Sew the fabric triangles onto a piece of ribbon or bias tape and you will have awonderful string of bunting to decorate for the special day You and your family will remember notonly the Royal Wedding when you bring out that bunting but have extra glimpses of their past inthe fabrics Definitely a memento to cherish
Gaye Weekes of A amp V Designs now lives in Snowdonia North Wales and onlyan hour away from Anglesey where the Royal couple will begin their marriedlife She has no doubt had that His Highness has been hovering over theirremote valley in his helicopter over recent months Gaye plans to be flying redwhite and green Welsh bunting for the wedding Her bunting is made fromvintage fabric from the 1950s and 1960s - a cotton heavy woven greenand cream floral and a jolly red and white gingham She adds ldquo
rdquo
This article was written by
from
httpwwwwowthankyoucouk
Karine Ait-Mohamed of The Pink Fairy Cake isFrench but now lives in England She says ldquo
rdquo In the spirit of the occasion Karinehas produced a product that combines both England and France into the celebration Shehas produced sets of two Union Jack hearts filled with lavender from Chateau la Gabelle inHaute-Provence
Lisa MacDonald of LisaMollyMacDonaldis quite enthusiastic about the weddingand getting caught up in the glamour of the
occasion ldquo
rdquo
Lou Carswell of Loubie Jewels has some prettyfantastic red white and blue jewellery which wouldbe suitable for a Royal wedding celebration She told
us ldquo
rdquo
So what can we gather from these observations It will be a nice idea to celebrate the RoyalWedding If we apply a little lsquowartimersquo austerity (handmade lends itself to recycling andupcycling) we shouldnrsquot have to spend a fortune We can step back from commercialism andbe involved in a low key but meaningful way that will make the event more memorable for itssimplicity and just a little thrift God Bless William and Kate
Tell us about yourself
My name is Sandra Ritchie I live in Cleethorpes UK with my husbandJason my 10 year old daughter Alisha my 2 year old son Alfred andour dog Dumbledore Primarily I am a housewife but in my sparetime I make jewellery of all kinds from beaded pieces to metal workbut mainly I make custom-made bespoke precious metal jewellery
When did your crafting begin and why
Many years ago I studied Jewellery and Metal Art at college andover time Ive collected the tools I needed but never got round tosetting up a workroom until 2009 when my Husband pointed outthat our Utility Room would be perfect for me to set up as aworkroom to start making jewellery again It seemed ideal Ialready had people interested in me making them some jewelleryand it meant I could stay at home and look after the children as wellas try to establish a name for myself as a Jewellery designermaker
What was the first item you made to sell online
The first item I made to sell whilst not specifically to sell online was asilver octopus necklace commissioned by an acquaintance of mine thathad seen the silver octopus necklace that I made for myself whilst atcollege and wanted one like it She has since purchased the silver andcopper entwined Dragon necklace and a commissioned silver Dragonand is back on my list for another piece to be made My number onefan I think
What is your biggest crafting achievement and why
I love all the pieces Ive created especially my Custom work but myfavourite piece of all is the Greenman necklace I was approached tomake something as a surprise for someone and was basically giventhe opportunity to produce something different to my usual pieces Ilove making pieces that are based on peoples ideas of what theywant that is really special but the Greenman necklace was mydesign based on what the customer wanted it to represent I had toteach myself etching for the piece as its something Id never learntand Im really pleased with how it worked out
Other than crafting what else do you like to do
I love spending time with my children and family I love baking andcooking too and I suppose I should admit to enjoying the oddrelaxing glass (or bottle) of nice wine when the children are in bed
wwwlittlefairycultcouk
Where would you like to be in 5 years
In 5 years time Id love to be in a better financial position so I canbuy silver and make silver jewellery to sell that isnt just Custom-made Ive started sneaking a few pieces of precious metal jewellerythat are for general sale onto my site
Where does your inspiration come from
My inspiration is usually from the customers themselves They tell mewhat it is they want and I design a piece to reflect that Sometimes theyalter the design slightly to reflect more of how they want it and that isfine For my bead jewellery its usually what beads I have in myworkroom that inspire my beaded pieces I very rarely buy beads for thereason that I have a design idea and usually just buy mixed lots of beadsand work with what I have
What are your favourite materials and why
I really love working with precious metals There is somethinguniquely satisfying about taking a flat sheet of metal and turning itinto a beautiful piece of jewellery Thats why I take pictures of thepieces as I am making them so that other people and the customerwhos item it is can enjoy seeing it progress from a blank piece ofprecious metal into the finished piece
What is favourite shop online that isnrsquot yours and why
Oh my There are so many amazing websites offering beautiful andunique handmade items but I will always take a look at Etsy to see ifthere is anything that catches my eye on there They have such a largevariety of designerssellers making almost everything but the kitchen sink(though I bet if you looked hard enough youd find one on there) Ireally enjoy the little treasuries they do too where you can browse aselection of items that are grouped together by themes
Has any person helped or supported you more than any other
I have had a lot of support from the good friends I have gained on Twitter and of coursemy real life friends have been extremely supportive too but the main reason I actuallysorted out my workroom (or corner of the utility room) was due to my husband insistingthat I start making jewellery again Luckily his insistence and support paid off virtuallystraight away when a friend asked for the octopus necklace I mentioned earlier to bemade
Tell us a random fact about yourself
I have known the sex of each child and whether Id be carrying one or more before I evenconceived them Fairly random but fact nevertheless
Kit includes seed beads 5 x handmade glass beads choker wire x 3 banglewire x 2 ring wire x 3 jewellery pliers beading mat instructions
Makes 8 fabulous and individual pieces of jewellery without the need forfiddly findings books or other money-wasters
Beaded Jewellery Kitpound12Japan Crafts
A coordinating selection of beads plus step-by-step full colour instructions to make your own version of the Jungle Collar design Learn how to work peyote stitch edge it with drops and embellish it with a lush fringe and beaded flowers and leaves Let your beading imagination run wild
Each kit is hand-picked and slightly different so the beads you receive may not be the exact onesshown in the photograph but you can be certain that your necklace will be uniqueThe kit comes carefully packaged in a handy reusable storage box the only things yoursquoll need inaddition are a beading needle a spool of nylon beading thread and some sharp scissors
Beadweaving Kit for Jungle Collar
pound38Lynn Davy
Fairy Earrings Jewellery Making Kit - Ages 7yrs+
pound5Jewellery Making Kits
These single kits are fabulous for all crafty and creative girls They also make great presents for school friends nieces sisters or even grown ups Each kit includes Sterling Silver earwires or studs a small selection of flowers for the skirt a pair of wings a few coloured glass pearls for the heads silver headpin Organza Bag Full set of instructionsSuitable for ages 7 years and up Requires a pair of pliers to finish off - all instructions included
Bracelet Kit - Chunky Swarovski Pearl and Crystal with Toggle Clasp
pound750Wonderstuff Craft Kits
A little kit of bronze Swarovski pearls and Golden Shadow Swarovski crystals silk and toggle clasp
Kit includes 11 x Swarovski 12mm Pearls Colour - Soft Bronze 3 x Swarovski Crystal 8mm Rondelles - Colour - Golden Shadow 8 x Swarovski Crystal 4mmBicones Colour - Light Colorado Topaz 1 x Silver Plated Toggle Bar 1 x Silver plated Toggle RingBracelet length of threading silk Instructions
This kit contains top quality beads to make an exquisite braceletno special tools are needed
Jewellery making kits
from the small crafterWersquove found a selection of wonderful beading kits for allages and experience These are not massed producedsets but offered by the small crafter
This article was created by The Crystal Lady httpwwwmysticearthcouk
This Months
This months lsquoMan of the Monthrsquo is Ade (Adrian)EdmondsonChosen by MegampMillie
This months lsquoLady of the Monthrsquo is GwenStefaniChosen by Claire Pearcy from Elderberry Arts
httpwwwgwenstefanicom
httpwwwunrealitytvcouklets-dance-for-comic-relieflets-dance-for-comic-relief-results-ade-edmondson-and-eighties-super-group-make-next-weeks-final
(Nothing like an April Fools)
This months lsquoBlog of the Month Awardrsquo goes to lsquoItrsquos All Fiddle Fartrsquo
httpitsallfiddlefartblogspotcom
This months lsquoShop of the Month Awardrsquo goes to lsquoJulias DriftwoodFurniturersquo
httpwwwfolksycomshopsseasandview123
ww
wc
reativ
e-cr
afting
co
mw
ww
cr
eative-c
on
nec
tion
snin
gc
om
CREATIVE CRAFTING
Our next issue will be available to read on
1st June 2010If you have missed any of our issues you
can find them to read on our websitewwwcreative-craftingcom
And also on our Social Network Creative Connectionswwwcreative-connectionsningcom
To advertise in Creative Crafting or to submit an article please contact Annaat thecrystalladycreative-craftingcom
AUGUSTSUMMER 2010
Issue 5
By Crafters for Crafters
Check out our
CraftersDirectory
CREATIVE CRAFTING
By Crafters for Crafters
Issue 3
ValentinesMothers Day 2010
HandcraftedWeddingSpecial
Valentine ampMothers Day
Projects
Have youbeen
featured
By Crafters for Crafters
Issue 3ValentinesMothers Day 2010
Handcrafted
Wedding
SpecialValentine amp
Mothers Day
ProjectsHave you
been
featured
By
EASTER 2010
Issue 4
FATHERS DAY 2010
Issue 4
By Crafters for Crafters
Ch
eck out our
Craft
ersDirectory
AUGUSTSUMMER 2
010
Issu
e 5
By Craf
ters fo
r Craf
ters
Chec
k out our
Crafters
Directory
CREATIVE
C
RAFTINGAU
TUM
N H
ALLO
WEE
N 201
0Is
sue
7
CREA
TIVE
CRAF
TIN
G
By Craf
ters f
or C
rafter
s
Chec
k
out our
Craft
ersDirect
ory
An
niv
ersa
ry
Issu
e
Donrsquot forget
All of our links andadverts are fullyclickable
If you would like to embed our magazine into your website blog myspace page etc you can
customise the code to suit your style and size
AUTUMN HALLOWEEN 2010
Issue 7CREATIVE CRAFTING
By Crafters for Crafters
Check out our
CraftersDirectory
Anniversary
Issue
CHRISTMAS 2010
Issue 8
By Crafters for Crafters
FATHERS DAY 2010
Issue 4
By Crafters for Crafters
Check out our
Crafters
Directory
EASTER 2010
Issue 4
By Crafters for Crafters
By Crafters for Crafters
VALENTINES 2011Issue 9
CREATIVE CRAFTING
EditorAnna - The Crystal Lady
thecrystalladycreative-craftingcomwwwmysticearthcoukwwwradiancecrystalscouk
Technical Editor
Avril - Sprinkles Sparklessprinkscreative-craftingcomwwwsprinklessparklescouk
Senior Features Writer
Diane - Peggyrsquos Knitswwwpeggyscollectionwebscom
Feature WritersTina - In the Garden
wwwtina-in-the-gardenblogspotcom
Tracey - Wowthankyouwwwwowthankyoucouk
wwwelderberryartscoukClaire - Elderberry Arts
wwwheartmadegiftswordpresscomDianne - Heartmade Gifts
wwwcreative-craftingcom
Creative Crafting is anAvanna Publication
wwwcreative-connectionsningcom
CREATIVE CRAFTING
ww
wc
reativ
e-cr
afting
co
m
1st June2011
Look out for ourFathers Day issue on
Your Creative Team
Anna - Editor Avril - TechnicalEditor
Diane - SeniorFeature Writer
ON OUR COVERSpring Squirrel Resin
Collage Broochby Raddington
By Crafters for Crafters
Issue 3ValentinesMothers Day 2010
Handcrafted
Wedding
SpecialValentine amp
Mothers Day
ProjectsHave you
been
featured
B
EASTER 2010
Issue 4
FATHERS DAY 2
010
Issue 4
By Craf
ters f
or Craf
ters
Chec
k out our
Craf
tersDirect
ory
AUGUST
SUM
MER
201
0Is
sue
5
By C
rafte
rs fo
r Cra
fters
Chec
k
out our
Craf
tersDire
ctory
CREA
TIVE
CRAF
TING
Donrsquot forget that you canadvertise your craftbusiness in CreativeCrafting magazinefrom only pound2
Visit our website for moreinformation or email us for acopy of our media pack
ww
wc
reativ
e-co
nn
ectio
nsn
ing
co
m
Donrsquot forget
All of our links andadverts are fullyclickable
For media packs please emailthecrystalladycreative-craftingcom
wwwcreative-craftingcomadvertisehtml
Lisa - Off with her Headwwwoffwithherheadcouk
wwwbeadsunlimitedcouk
Gemma - Beads Unlimited
wwwfolksycomshopsandrealesleycrochet
Andrea - Andrea Lesley Crochet
Page37 Page
15
Welcome to the April Issue of Creative Crafting
Spring is most definitely in the air the weather is improvingthe gardens are starting to wake up and we crafters are fullof new inspiration
This issue we are lucky enough to have lots of projects fromnew and regular faces for you to enjoy We also bid a sadfarewell to two of our favourite contributors Amy from MissBaclart Designs and AmyOrangeJuice These lovely ladieshave been with us for many issues now and we shall missthem but they have assured us that they will hopefully beback in the future Good luck ladies
We have some much awaited crochet projects this time sodo have a go and show us how you get on Donrsquot forget thatyou can join in all the crafting fun along with our regularcompetitions on our Facebook Page
httpwwwfacebookcomCreativeCraftingMagazine
See you all again in our Summer issueAnna
~ x ~
wwwcreative-craftingcom
In this Issue
Regular Features
Special Features
6 Crafters DirectoryThe best place to go whenyou are looking for thatspecial handcrafted item
Another visit with ourfavourite green fingeredfriend
A selection of handcraftedgemstone productsselected by our CrystalLady
A wonderful selection ofhandcrafted itemshandpicked by SprinklesSparkles
40 Online Street Best Picks
Discover unusual andforgotten crafts with TheCrystal Lady This issue wefind out about knitting withDog Hair
29 Weird and Wonderful Crafts
Sprinkles Sparkles finds morecraft items from both ends ofthe price scale
35 Budget amp Luxury
26 Tina in the Garden
15 Crystal Magic
More winners of our Blogand Shop awards and theall important lsquoman of themonthrsquo
49 This Months
Diane from Peggyrsquos Knitsreviews some of yourwonderful products
10 Di saw it first
Diane from Peggyrsquos Knitstracks down anotherCelebrity This issue shespeaks to Tania Vital
19 Dianes Celebrity Chats
Everyones favourite Awonderful recipe broughtto you by Dianes Mum
34 Who likes chocolate Cake
Recipes
Learn about the fascinatingworld of Millinery with Lisafrom Off With Her Head
16 If you want to get ahead get a hat
They may seem oldfashioned but just take alook at the beautiful itemsfound by The Crystal Lady
33 Luscious Lockets
Tracey from Wow ThankYou asks how people feelabout the the Royal Do
44 My Big Fat Royal Wedding
Kits donrsquot have to be massproduced
48 Jewellery making kits from the small crafter
16
33
19
12
30
wwwcreative-connectionsningcom
Interviews
Yoursquoll never look at brokenceramics the same wayagain
24 An Interview with Laura by the Sea
Sandra creates the moststunning metal jewelleryTake a look
46 An Interview with Little Fairy Cult
Sarah from Ragtag Rugshas a rug project for us
22 Rug Making
Dianne from HeartmadeGifts shares somewonderful Salt Dough Giftideas Perfect for Easterand Mothers Day
30 Easter Salt Dough
A long awaited crochetproject from the talentedAndrea Lesley Crochet
36 How to Crochet a flower brooch
Projects
Another wonderful projectand competition withGemma from BeadsUnlimited
12 Make your own striking Spring Necklace and Earrings
Claire from Elderberry Artsshows us how to make alovely fleece hat for thelittle ones
20 Make a childrenrsquos fleece hat
Another crochet projectfrom Andrea LesleyCrochet
37 How to Crochet a mobile phoneipod cosy
Heidi gives us a great ideafor old t-shirts
38 A Teenagers guide to lsquoGokrsquo up a t-shirt
Another stunning jewelleryidea with Elderberry Arts
42 Make a Rose Quartz Bracelet
29
44
20
46
24
34
If you would like to be featured in our directory please visit our website
Crafterrsquos DirectoryThe perfect place to find beautiful gifts
Handcrafted items are becoming a popular alternative tomass produced items
Lovingly created and often surprisingly inexpensiveBrowse through our directory and
click on the links to visit a world of beautiful craft shops
Off With Her HeadOff With Her Head
LamingtonsLemonade and
Custom made HealingJewellery
lsquoJust for yoursquo
PeggyrsquosCollection
Made with love and care
Ragtag Rugs
If you would like to be featured in our directory please visit our website
Crafterrsquos DirectoryThe perfect place to find beautiful gifts
Handcrafted items are becoming a popular alternative to mass produced itemsLovingly created and often surprisingly inexpensive
Click on the links to visit a world of beautiful craft shops
Averilpam Design Handcrafted one of a kind jewellery and bags Folksy
Designs By Isis Beautiful and unique handmade jewellery waiting for you to treatyourself Website
Elderberry Arts Hand crafted unique and uncommon silver gemstone glass gay andbisexual jewellery Website
Enigma Jewellery Unusual handmade jewellery amp gifts using Sterling Silver Hill TribeSilver Swarovski Crystals - most items are one off designs Folksy
Kokokelli Gorgeous Handmade Jewellery amp Greeting Cards at affordable prices Folksy
LauraFaye Crafts Eclectic gorgeous bright and contemporary - beaded jewellery andgifts resin jewellery polymer clay pieces cards and artwork Website
Madam CC Something old Something new Folksy
Mystic Earth Gemstone Healing Jewellery personal matching service available Website
Pretty Beautiful Designs byMaria
Unique handmade jewellery necklaces bracelets and earrings perfectfor every occasion from everyday to a big night out Website
RastafairyMalaika Beautifully crafted macrame jewellery with semi-precious stonesComissions taken Etsy
Rosie-Jo High quality handmade beaded jewellery featuring sterling silver semiprecious stones glass wood felt porcelain and tensha beads Misi
Snow Queen Trinkets Kiln Fused Dichroic Glass Jewellery Folksy
Sprinkles Sparkles Bespoke Handmade Jewellery and Accessories Website
The Jewellery Angel Cute Colourful and Kitsch Jewellery Folksy
The Vintage Jewellery Box Hand-designed vintage-inspired jewellery with a modern twist offering afresh alternative to girls who like to wear something a bit different Website
Neate Crafts Painting Knitting Pyrography amp lots more Misi
Painted Ghost Handmade accessories for baby and child home of the Bibbla Website
Crafterrsquos DirectoryThe perfect place to find beautiful gifts
Handcrafted items are becoming a popular alternative to mass produced itemsLovingly created and often surprisingly inexpensive
Click on the links to visit a world of beautiful craft shops
SudrsquonrsquoSoothe Juice Bar just got a new meaning Website
Radiance Crystals Bespoke Bridal and Occasion Jewellery Website
All things Nice The home of unique affordable arts and crafts Folksy
Diomo Glass A range of Stained Glass Gifts by a Stained Glass Artist I recycle glass tocreate gifts and other novel little items of interest fun and meaning Folksy
FloralGifts4U Beautiful floral gifts for all occasions Sock posies are our speciality Website
Lemonade and Lamingtons Homewares amp accessories fresh amp exciting Folksy
Ragtag Rugs Handmade rugs from recycled textiles Folksy
Court amp Spark Handmade Textiles by Phillippa Harding An original range ofDecorations Soft Furnishing Cards amp Gifts with a VintageRetro Twist Website
Dab and a Dash Unique handmade JournalsNotebooks Fabric covers and stitchedbinding Folksy
Kelso Kreations Handmade Gifts for that special occasion Folksy
Little ScruffsMiniature Mohair Artist Bears with loads of character Vintage style collectable Website
Moody Cow Designs Unique handmade handbags and accessories Folksy
pipdesigns Ipad Covers Purses Handbags - Designer amp Funky Fabrics Folksy
Wraggamuffins Handmade chocolate truffles a perfect Valentines gift to show someonehow much you love them Website
If you would like to be featured in our directory please visit our website
Ann Chandler Originals Unique bags and accessories in unusual fabrics including vintagekimono silks funky cotton prints and upcycled clothing Folksy
Off With Her Head Vintage Inspired Millinery hats and fascinators based on originalvintage designs illustrations and photographs and custom designs Website
Crafterrsquos DirectoryThe perfect place to find beautiful gifts
Handcrafted items are becoming a popular alternative to mass produced itemsLovingly created and often surprisingly inexpensive
Click on the links to visit a world of beautiful craft shops
Beads4Breakfast Artisan lampwork beads made in my kitchen studio Commissions taken Website
The Little Bead Box Beautiful Beads and Jewellery Supplies Folksy
UK Craft Store Novelty buttons and more Website
Abstract Cat Crafts Colourful high quality hand-dyed and hand-painted knitting yarn Website
Andrea Lesley Crochet Beautiful handmade crochet gifts Folksy
Joyknitt Joyknitt Knits Misi
NOfkants Curios Hand Knitted and Crocheted Unique Handbags Folksy
Peggyrsquos Knits Quality knitted items Website
Wharfedale Woolworks Hand painted yarns and custom knits Folksy
Creative CraftingAdvertise with
wwwcreative-craftingcomadvertisehtml
A mouse here could take customersto your store
We care about yourcraft business
Prices startfrom only pound2
The Broken Doll Unique greeting cards and gifts from The Doll for that something a littlebit different Folksy
Di saw it first craftreviews
Thank you to everyone that has sent in items for the review Such gorgeous handmade giftsThere really are many very talented people out there
All of these items are going to be able to be won by one of our lucky readers Could it be you
Delightful canvas personalised bag and hair accessoriesSo well made and presented gorgeously These would makesuch a good gift for any little girl Beautiful detail and somany choices of what to buy The details on them areexceptionalwwwjaydesignshairclipscouk
Gorgeous hand made beaded bracelet with little pink bowsso well made and would compliment any outfit
Has so many gorgeous pieces in her shop something foreveryone Comes in a gorgeous little organza bag packagedbeautifullywwwmychicuniqueetsycom
Handmade gorgeous card called Moonlit Bay This card isso stunning the details that have gone into it really show
A very professional finish and hand signed by the artistMimi who is based in Cornwall Mini makes some gorgeousitems and it is so nice to have her Cornwall influencesinspiring her artworkwwwartbymimicouk
This is a stunning necklace made with lampwork beads and Swarovskicrystalspearls and glass bicones with glass seed beads The coloursare amazing and really stand out
Packaged in a beautiful aqua organza bag to compliment thenecklace This would be a great gift for anyone and I am sure youwould get so many compliments from wearing thiswwwscottishprincesscouk
Di saw it first craftreviews
Recycled fabric notebookjournal has 3 pages and is A5 size with2 decorative pagesThe front page also has a pretty nameplate with 3D flowers on it
Made very well and would be an absolutely wonderful gift for any one to receive regardless of their age Although it is unsuitable for very young children due to the decorative disc on the front cover My nieces both loved this notebook and I am sure it would be a great gift for little girls and a very special keepsake book
wwwfolksycomshopsdabdash
Nursing necklace from a company called Booby and The BeadsAbsolutely stunning colours and made very well Pinks and reds reallycompliment each other Packaged in a beautiful pink organza bag
A great idea for a present for any ladyhttpwwwfacebookcompagesBooby-The-Beads-Nursing-Necklaces-Reminder-Bracelets -more157477778613
Lovely handmade bookmark made with material andcharms So different and would make an excellentgift Never seen a bookmark with so much detail onBefore
Gorgeous handmade charm packaged and has so muchdetail on it This would be perfect on your bag or keys and Iam sure everyone would ask where you bought it from Bothpackaged beautifullywwwd-k-designscouk
You could win all these goodies by entering our giveaway
Just enter you name and email address to be in fora chance of winning all these handmade gifts
wwwcreative-craftingcomgiveawayhtml
Closing date for entries is 31st May 2011
Written and reviewed by Peggyrsquos Knitshttppeggyscollectionwebscom
Make this simple striking necklace using beadedheadpins and chain to add a bold statement
to your favourite outfit
MaterialsI used Beads Unlimited products in the following quantities tocomplete the jewellery set -
100g x high quality glass mix pink tones (GLXH22)1 x 40 mm silver foil flat round lime green (GLCN4028)50 cm x heavy chain ( sold per meter) silver plated (CHHSP)2 x (1 pack of 10) 8 mm jump ring silver plated (JR8SP)1 x pack of 100 headpins silver plated (HPSP)2 x (1 pack of 6) long ballwires silver plated (LBWSP)1 x (1 pack of 12) eyepins silver plated (EPSP)1 x trigger clasp silver plated (TRGSP)You will also need a pair of multi pliers (CRMT)
Step 1 Thread thelime green beads ontoan eyepinWith the round nosedpart of the pliers bendthe eyepin into a loopdonrsquot close it yet
Step 2 Measure andCut 28 cm and 12 cmof chainAttach one length toeach eye on the beadedeyepin and close theloop
Step 3 Thread a beadof your choice from thepink mix onto a headpinTrim the headpin 1 cmabove the beadsAttach to the chain linknext to the lime greenbeads Close the loop
Gemma is inspired by everything around her from colourand form to the materials she uses and by using manytraditional techniques with contemporary ideas she createsjewellery with her individual style
Make your ownStriking Necklace and Earrings
Step 4 Continue to addbeads from the pink mixin the way to create atapered look on each sideThe shorter length of chainshould be beaded along 5 cmand the longer length 14 cm
Step 5 Attach and 8 mmjump ring to one and of thenecklace ends and a jumpring with a trigger clasp tothe other
Finished necklace
To make the earringsCut a 5 cm length of chain Attach a long ballwire to one end and bead inthe same way as the necklace Make sure you attach a bead to the endlineRepeat to make a pair
Designed by Gemma fromwwwbeadsunlimitedcouk
This necklace and earring set could be yoursVisit wwwcreative-craftingcomgiveawayto enter
Competition end date is -31st May 2011
Beautiful Jewellery to helpyou through life
wwwmysticearthcouk
These pieces of unique jewellery makethe perfect gift for a loved one or a much
needed treat for yourself
MYSTIC EARTH
Have you ever thought ofhaving a piece of
Gemstone and CrystalHealing Jewellery Created
lsquojust for yoursquoEach stone matched to your needs
The Crystal Lady at Mystic Earthcan offer you this service
Quality KnittedItems
httpwwwpeggyscollectionwebscom
PeggyrsquosCollection
Made with love and care
Mother Nature has provided us withwonderful Healing Gemstones and Minerals
PeridotFor this Issue discover the beauty of
(MgFe)2(SiO4)+AlCaMnNiCoCrTi
If you would likemore information about
Crystal Healing Jewelleryyou can contact
The Crystal Lady atthecrystalladymysticearthcouk
httpwwwmysticearthcoukor visit
In the Middle Ages Peridot was employed for warding off evil spiritsand to bestow wisdom and friendship
Mentally -Dissolves oppressive feelings that arise from self-blameAllows us to forgive ourselves
Physically - Peridot has a strong detoxifying effect and stimulates the liverEnhances the liver and gallbladder helps with skin problems even warts
Chakra - Heart Solar Plexus
Peridot Mini Hair Comb
pound14
Lime Crush
pound35Victorian Sterling Silver
Peridot Ring
$38
Chocolate Pearl and PeridotNecklace
$78Jasper Peridot Rhyolite
and Pearl Necklace
pound45
Peridot Chip Bracelet
pound7
As a woman in the UK today if you attend a wedding or the races andparticularly if you are lucky enough to go to Ladies Day at Royal Ascotthen it is usually expected that you should wear a hat or nowadaysa fascinator
If you want to get ahead get a hat
People have always worn hats in someform whether as a protective head covering oras a mark of status within society hats have alwayshad their place In the 15th century it was expectedthat women keep their hair covered wearing veilsand wimples and refashioned male hats were alsopopular
But it was not until the 17th century that womenrsquosheadwear began to take the familiar shape that it does today Bonnetsbecame increasingly popular and at times could be extremely elaboratetrimmed with ribbons lace and feathers
The term lsquomillinerrsquo meaning a maker of womenrsquos hats refers to products derived from Milan andNorthern Italy such as the straws and ribbons used in the making of hats
The haberdashers who imported of these products were known as lsquoMillanersrsquo from which we getthis term The first use of the term in the UK was in the 1700rsquos
Hats were extremely popular at the turn of the 20th century not only forspecial occasions Victorian hats were large brimmed and ornatelydecorated with flowers feathers ribbons and beads The austerity of theSecond World War led to their eventual decline as an everyday pieceof a womanrsquos wardrobe
Nowadays hats and the ever popular fascinator are seeing a resurgencenot in the least thanks to the influences of women such as Sarah JessicaParker Paloma Faith and of course Kate Middleton
Choosing a hat or fascinator needs careful consideration Height faceshape and personality all play a part in shaping your decision A boldfascinator is a statement piece and is certainly not for the shy
Everyone can wear some type of hat or fascinator its just a matter of finding the right one to suityou
There are some amazing British professional milliners working today not least including thelikes of Stephen Jones and Phillip Treacy but you will also find in the UK some wonderful millinersselling their designs on Etsy each producing unique designs to put the perfect finish to any outfitwhatever the occasion
Off With Her Head is run by self taught designer and milliner Lisa Poolewhose designs are fuelled by a love of vintage fashion and moviecostumes
Based in Fife Scotland she prides herself on creating each piece by handand loves to create bespoke pieces for her customers
Off With Her Head focuses on creating vintage inspired pieces andalthough Lisa creates hats and fascinators from various eras in historyshe admits to being a little biased towards the 1950rsquos as its her favouritedecade for fashion
Whatever direction Off With Her Head takes the ethos behind the businessremains the same - quality hats and fascinators at a reasonable price
Off With Her Head ndash Vintage Inspired Millinery
Etsy Store httpwwwetsycomshopmadamequeenyWebsite wwwoffwithherheadcouk
Annalisa Maria Millinery
Annalisa of Annalisa Maria Millinery has always adored hats andbeing the type of person who loves to make things she quitenaturally became interested in millinery
Trained at Kensington and Chelsea college famous for itsmillinery alumni where she learnt all the basics of the trade
She now works out of her London home producing beautifulone of a kind hats and head pieces
Etsy Store wwwetsycomshopdesignsbyannalisa
With so much choice there is absolutely no excuse not to finish your outfit with stunning hatfascinator or headpiecehellip and as they say
Written By Lisa PooleFrom Off With Her Headwwwoffwithherheadcouk
Ella Gajewska is a professional milliner working in London Hats are thelove of her life She has been working as a milliner since 1996 thoughher passion for hats started much earlier in her childhood when Ellacreated hats for her dolls to give them a bit more of an extravagantlook
Having achieved success in Poland where she was a milliners ateliermanager and an inspiring teacher for other young milliners she decidedto take her chances in London the world capital of hats
Since 2001 Ella Gajewska has had the chance of working for renownedateliers and milliners Working in England alongside the best designersof various head wear she has had the chance to develop and perfecther skills even more
Ella Gajewska
Etsy Store wwwetsycomshopEllaGajewskaWebsite wwwellagajewskacom
Little Miss B Design
Little Miss B started out making hats and accessories for herselfand friends uninspired by what was available on the high streetShe decided that shersquod like to give a wider audience the chanceto own a unique Little Miss B creation so began her foray intofashion and millinery
Her inspirations comes from days gone by when style andglamour were more apparent and the quality of craftsmanshipwas high From the 1920s to the 1960s vintage to rockabillyLittle Miss B brings it to the present day with a modern twist
Etsy Store httpwwwetsycomshopLittleMissBDesign
Ive always been artistic in one form or another As a child I always paintedand drew a lot At school I did everything from make a wooden fish pencilholder perspex badges pottery and childrens toys I was very into pencildrawings and shading but I loved using watercolour and other textures formy more cartoonManga style art
I was never very good at what back then was deemed the Girlie stuff I wasmore into woodwork and moulding and graphics This is probably what mademe choose my Bachelor of Science Degree in Architectural Technology Formy degree we used a lot of CAD (Computer Aided Design) to design buildings and building materialsWe also had to craft models of some of our own designs with foam board and other materials I wasin my element with this part of the curriculum
The great thing about craftdesignmaking things - whatever you want to call it is that there is a freedom in Art that you do not get anywhere else There is no right and wrong and no rules The rules come later At the point of concept it is just you and your imagination Which is very liberating and also quite scary because we are conditioned to think within the constraints of rules Art has no rules
Dianes Celebrity ChatsOur lovely Di from Peggyrsquos Knits chats to another celebrity about crafting
Tanya has worked on a number of shows the most recent being the character Adele Alfrey in ITVrsquos Emmerdale She has also worked on other familiar shows with awardwinning producers directors and writers She starred in the BBCcomedy Kerching Her first professional role was in Holby CityShe is also an accomplished presenter and budding playwrightTanya is a former student of the National Youth TheatreTanya told me how she has been artistic about how she sees artand her views on crafting
Please all take a look at Tanyarsquos website which ishttpwwwtanyavitalcom
What you will needFleece material - To determine the size needed- measure the circumference of your head(around your ears) and add 12 inch for seamallowance This will be the width and the lengthmeasurement is 20 inchesCotton thread in the same or contrasting colour
Average Head Sizes -
Newborn (6 months and younger)Circumference 14 to 17 inchesCrown 8 to 10 inches
Infant (6 to 12 months)Circumference 16 to 19 inchesCrown 11 to 12 inches
Child (12 months to 3 years)Circumference 18 to 20 inchesCrown 11 to 12 inches
Step 1 Lay out your fleece on a flat surface anddraw out a rectangle using the measurements forthe hat size required This should be 20 inches longand the width will be the circumference measurementof the size hat your making plus 12 inch seamallowance So to make a hat for a child with a headcircumference of 15 inches the width should be15 12 inches
Claire from Elderberry Arts shows us how to make achildrens hat from fleece material
Why not experiment this Easter holiday
Below are easy to follow instructions and a sizing guide
Thin length of fleece approx 12 inches by12 inchRuler or tape measureTailors chalk or penScissorsPinsSewing needles or sewing machine
Elderberrry Arts
Step 4 Place the right sides of the fleecetogether and pin along the length of thematerial Sew along this edge either by handor machine Knot ends and sewing inside thehem You can trim this hem to make it even andneater if needed
Step 5 Turn the hat right side out andarrange it so the seam is in the middleback From the bottom of your hatmeasure the crown length and place thefleece strip under the hat at this point
Step 6 Tie the ends of thestrip together and pull tightto gather hat
Step 7 Now cut the topsection of the hat into stripsapproximately 12 inch wide
Once youve cut all the wayround the strips can be trimmedto shorten them if required
You could also thread plastic ponybeads on some or all of the stripsknotting the bottom to secure them
Step 2 Cut out the rectangleof fleece Then cut a strip 12inches by 12 inch of fleecefrom the leftover material
Step 3 Pin a hem approx12 inch wide across theshorter length of fleece
Sew either by hand or machineKnot ends and sewing insidethe hem
Written by Elderberry Artshttpwwwelderberryartscouk
Rug Making Ragtag RugsWith
Looking for something fabulous to make using all your old T-shirts sweat shirts and other disusedgarments If so this could be the project for you
The craft of making rag rugs is very traditional and dates backto the mid eighteen hundreds itrsquos still very relevant today whatwith the importance of recycling the other great thing aboutit is that the design on the rug can pretty much be whateveryou want it to be - an image of your pet or your house anabstract or geometric design or something floral traditionalhellip itrsquos totally up to you and your imagination
The technique Irsquoll be using for this project is a method calledlsquohookingrsquo which is very simple and produces a soft and hardwearing pile Irsquove tried to keep everything simple and equipment to a minimum so that everyone canhave a go My favourite fabrics to use are the afore mentioned T-shirts and sweat shirts as they frayvery little but most textiles of a medium thickness can be used
MaterialsVirtually any material can be used in a rag rug some materials are easier to work with than othersThe best materials to use for hooking include T-shirts sweat shirts lightweight cottonssynthetics amplightweight woolsynthetic jumpers Fabrics such as heavy weight denim are not suitableFor this project Irsquove used plain fabrics but patterned fabrics can also be used
HookingStep 1 Working with the Hessian design side up poke the hook through the Hessian and grab thestrip of fabric underneath with the hook
Step 2 Pull the end of the strip of fabric up through the Hessian so that you leave a tail of at least1 cm sticking up
Step 3 Move the hook along about half a centimeter poke it back down through the Hessian andpull a loop of fabric up through to the top of the Hessian a loop height of about 1 cm is best thenjust repeat this technique filling in the required area when you reach the end of a fabric strip pullthe end up through the Hessian and trim it so itrsquos the same height as the loopsMake sure your loops are dense enough and you canrsquot see any of the Hessian backing There is noneed to physically fix the loops in place as they will stay put automatically due to the thickness ofThe fabric and the denseness of the loops
What you will needA piece of Hessian measuring 90 cm x 110 cmSelection of fabrics cut into strips measuring1 - 2 cm wide depending on the thickness ofthe fabric and avoid any seamsRug hookDressmakers pinsScissors
Large-eyed needleBall of woolMarker penYard stick metre ruler2 sheets of thin A4 card or a flattened cereal packetCompassPencil
Ragtag Rugs Rug Making Ragtag RugsWith
Step 1 Using the compass and pencildraw two circles measuring 185 cmacross on the sheets of card and cut theseout using the scissors
Step 2 Using the marker pen and metre rule draw a rectangle on the piece of Hessian measuring63 cm x 84 cm leaving a boarder of about 12 cm all the way around the rectangle Divide therectangle into four giving you central lines for the width and length of the rug Place the card spotson the Hessian in the appropriate places and draw around them using the marker pen for the halfand quarter spots fold one of the card templates accordingly and then draw around it Draw in yourdesigns within the spots
Step 3 Fold under the raw edges of the Hessian and stitch with arunning stitch using the large-eyed needle and wool this is to preventthe Hessian fraying selvedge edges can be left as they are
Step 4 Hook in the strips of fabrics filling in the spots first and then thebackground You can either use the design shown here or make up yourown spots and colour scheme
Step 5 When completed lay the rug face down on the floor and turn in a hem of about 6 cms tothe back of the rug and pin it all the way around fold and pin the corners as neatly as possibleSew the hem to the back of the rug with a running stitch using the large-eyed needle and woolVoila You have a rug
wwwfolksycomshopsragtagrugs
Written by Ragtag Rugs
SupplierFor an American Style Rug Hook costing about pound750 and also Hessian go to Fred Aldous CraftSupplies wwwfredaldouscouk
NoteSome people prefer to use a rug making frame which helps to keep the rugsquare but as the rug wersquore making here is fairly small and wersquore keepingthings simple Irsquove dispensed with this
The first item I sold online was on my Folksy shop(httpwwwfolksycomshopsLaurabyTheSea) and was a vintage ceramic andbead brooch the buyer was very pleased with it and gave me great feedback
Tell us about yourselfMy name is Laura and I live by the sea in the East of England Pakefield to be precise I live with my wonderful Brother who is a musician so we have a very creative household and in our bright conservatory I make ldquoLaura by The Seardquo jewellery (from necklaces brooches amp bracelets to ear rings and hair slides) using vintage ceramics I break vintage crockery hand sand it to ensure there are no sharp edges and make the shards into beautiful jewellery
When did your crafting begin and whyI began studying ceramics during my BA Hons degree in Fine Art at The University of Portsmouthwhich is where my obsession for vintage crockery began to grow Initially I began by making newplates and tea cups with vintage shards in but soon the beauty of the ceramic shards startedappealing to me which is when I had the idea of making jewellery out of them - and one day I justdid it and havenrsquot stopped since I just love how the cute patterns really stand out against the silverchain
What was the first item you made to sell online
What is your biggest crafting achievement and why
I think my biggest crafting achievement since starting Laura by The SeaJewellery has to be getting interviewed for the national ldquoMAKE Jewelleryrdquomagazine as their new ldquoIt accessoryrdquo designer I totally didnrsquot expect themto contact me via my Folksy store
Other than crafting what else do you like to do
In my spare time I like to paint I write I stronglybelieve it is the simple things in life that count I am a collectorof anything old with a story and pick up anything found on the seashore First morning sunshine trawling antique treasure troves walks on the sand with my pooch Sepia tones and seeing life through a lens makes me happy I do a photographyfashion blog(laurabytheseatumblrcom) and am a very sociable person These are a fewof my favourite things and yes that should include raindrops on roses andbrown paper packages tied up with string
Where would you like to be in 5 years
In 5 years time I would love to be able to do this on a full time basis tomake enough money to live I am aiming to have my jewellery sold in manyUK wide independent stores and hopefully a few abroad However theultimate dream is to have my jewellery featured in Vogue
The first item I sold online was on my Folksy shop(httpwwwfolksycomshopsLaurabyTheSea) and was a vintage ceramic andbead brooch the buyer was very pleased with it and gave me great feedback
Where does your inspiration come from
My inspiration comes from trawling antique and vintage shops photography (one of my current favphotographers is Elizabeth Sarah from America) and I am always inspired by other people When Iget talking with my friends about anything creative the juices start flowing and I get more designideas I am also inspired and work along with music (anything from RampB amp Hip-hop to Reggae andJazz I have an eclectic mix)
What are your favourite materials and why
Vintage ceramics because I adore the vintage floral prints on the crockeryand like the idea of being as eco-friendly as possible and like to only userecycled materials in my jewellery
What is favourite shop online that isnrsquot yours and why
My favourite online shop has to be Loglike a contemporary gift and home ware store with vintageelements The owner makes cute candlesticks from vintage plates and saucers that look amazing onmy coffee table (see httpwwwfolksycomshopsLoglike)
Has any person helped or supported you more than any other
I would have to say my parents and Brother Not just financially when Iwas a poor struggling student but they are supportive with everything Ido in life and I just couldnrsquot do without them My brother is more like abest friend
Tell us a random fact about yourself
I have 23 dresses in my wardrobe and have a vinyl collection of mostly 1980rsquos music (my guiltypleasure)
httpwwwfolksycomshopsLaurabyTheSea
Visit
Lauraat
in the GardenHi Irsquom Tina
Good to have you visit with me again in The GardenI think we will sit in the conservatory this morning the sun is juststreaming in it is so wonderful to feel the warmth after such a coldwinter I have the kettle on and some little iced biscuits butremember we must not over indulge me especially as I have notbeen working in the garden so much just sitting in doors munching
Well Spring is here at last and it does seem to be in a hurrythis year the crab apple is already in bud and also the fruittrees
I had my own little piece of garden and the plants therewere in my charge if I forgot to water them and theydied mother would say you have to be responsible givethem a little care and you will be rewarded with so muchbeauty and as I look around the garden today thebeauty just takes my breath awayI checked out the herbs after the winter and just look atthis monster itrsquos the parsley how great is this
Here is a photo of the willow catkins or lambs tails as mymother used to call them she was a country woman andknew every wild flower by their old country names sheloved all nature and her garden and was my inspirationfrom an early age
wwwtina-in-the-gardenblogspotcom
Also I think that this flower is really confused it is of coursean antirrhinum when I emptied the summer bedding fromthe tubs some were still fine so I planted them in thegarden and as you can see have been well rewarded Alsosome silver foliage plants which I cannot remember thename of and of course have lost thelabel they seem to think that it isalready summer
At the moment you can get into the bog it does not look half as mysterious as it does inthe summer you can even see the streamMy better half and I have one or two projects this summer well I have theideas and he makes them work howlucky am I So watch this space
Oh you have to leave well thank you again for coming be safe until your next visit withme in The Garden
Your green fingered friendTina
The bluebells are coming throughin the wood not long now beforethey flower they have to hurrybefore the trees get their leaves
Creative CraftingAdvertise with
wwwcreative-craftingcomadvertisehtml
A mouse herecould take customers
to your store
We care about yourcraft business
Prices startfrom
only pound2
There are a lot of different crafts to choose fromThis series of articles will discover some of the more unusual and also some
old world crafts that may have been almost forgotten
This article was created by
The Crystal Ladyhttpwwwmysticearthcouk
Sold by Amazon
Knitting with Dog Hairby Anne Montgomery
Contains easy step-by-step instructions for collecting cleaningstoring and spinning your dogs fur The book includes originalknitting patterns for the novice and the pro - from mittens toshawls to lace collars from your cats hair
How to Knit a Dog Hair Sweater
E-How
The brushed undercoat of a dog is called chiengora and can be used for knittingcrocheting or felting just like lambs wool or other yarn Dogs hair has been used forcenturies for weaving blankets and other coverings Dogs hair is much warmer thanwool Here is how to knit a sweater from dog hair
After the tutorial the writer goes on to leave a warning that dog hair is much warmerthan wool and an entire garment made of dog hair will be too hot to wear
I also found a very fascinating article about a lady called Laurie Moy on the Boulder DailyCamera website
Better a sweater from a dog you know and love than from a sheepyoull never meet
Warp and woof-woof Making clothes out of dog hair
Read more Boulder Daily Camera
This was discovered in an American newspaper by Creative Craftings Tinawe just had to tell you about it
I did some Googling about this and apparently there is quite alot about it I found a tutorial on the popular E-How site
Irsquom sure like me yoursquoll find this quite fascinatingIf any of our spinners out there fancy a go atcreating some yarn from their pooches we wouldlove to see some of the results It is also a greatidea for recycling all of that fluff that you areconstantly sweeping up off your sofa or yourcarpet There really is a use for most things afterall
Salt dough is so quick and easy (and therapeutic) to make endlessly adaptable a joy to sharewith the kids and has the advantage of being made from store-cupboard basics (although youcould make these projects in clay or fimo or even plasticine)The drawbacks are that it takes a while to cookpaintvarnish it will dissolve in wet or very dampconditions and will break if you drop it So allow yourself a couple of days to produce a finishedpiece and varnish thoroughly when decorated to protect against any damage
Making a Batch of Salt Dough
1 Mug of Table Salt2 Mugs of Plain FlourApprox 1 Mug of Tepid Water (Add final frac14 slowly)1 Tablespoon of Olive or Vegetable Oil (Optional)
Mix the flour and salt together in a bowlIf you are using oil (which helps to add elasticity but is optional and not necessary) add it to themug of water Add the water (with or without oil) to the salt and flour mixAdd most of the water stirring into the dry ingredients with a wooden spoon Add the last of thewater carefully as you will need more or less depending on humidity and the gradequality of theflourYou need to add enough to bind the ingredients without making it too sticky Empty onto a lightlyfloured surface and knead for at least ten minutes until the dough is smooth and slightly warm
A Few Tips for Modelling Salt DoughRoll out salt dough onto a lightly floured surface with a floured rolling pin or you could use abottle if you havent got a rolling pin Gently flattening salt dough with the heels of your hands willwork too but keep moving the dough to keep it even and turn it over to the fresh smooth sidejust before you begin cutting shapesKeep the thickness of your pieces under an inch much thicker than this and they wont hardenproperly in the middleUse a sharp knife to cut salt dough shapes but a blunt knife (or the back of a knife) is useful whenmarking lines onto the dough A scalpel or craft knife is best for cutting out intricate shapesUse pastry cutters plasticine moulds forks hair grips scrubbing brushes experiment withanything you have lying around the house
Cooking Salt DoughCook your salt dough pieces slowly in a very low oven The cooler and slower the better to preventdistortion in the cooking process These pieces were cooked at 140275 degrees or Gas Mark 1 forapproximately 2 hours but I often leave them all day in the oven at its lowest setting
Heartmade Gifts
Decorating Salt DoughYou can decorate your pieces before or after the cooking process Try adding food colouringherbs and spices tea or coffee to your dough as you knead it Or try painting your uncooked piecewith an egg wash for a lovely golden glowExperiment with various mediums on cooked pieces Gouache and acrylics work well but posterpaint is fine (if a little limited in colour variation) and you could try chalks felt tips or crayonsUse glue to add decorations including glitter sequins fabric bows tiny scraps of paper etcIts nice to leave the dough perfectly natural sometimes and sometimes a combination of naturaldough and painted areas works very wellVarnish thoroughly Any varnish will work I tend to use a spray varnish as a first coat to set thepaints then I add a few coats of a super store own brand wood varnish (If you need yourfinished piece to be especially waterproof try yacht varnish but be aware that it will tend tochange the colours making them yellowish)Use a small brush to get into all the nooks and crannies and allow each coat to dry thoroughlybefore applying the next one The more coats you apply the better protected your final pieceHowever unvarnished salt dough I have made for personal use (or the odd forgotten piece) hassurvived very well even in a slightly damp old house So dont let a lack of varnish deter you fromtrying salt dough But if you are creating a family heirloom four or five coats of a good varnish willensure it lasts for yearsTry these two Easter projects the ldquoEgg-stra Specialrdquo eggs are very quick and simple enough to dowith small children the primrose basket takes a while and is a little fiddly but well worth tryingand very easy to adapt by choosing your own flower or perhaps some other motif
~ Egg-stra Special Eggs ~
1 Form an egg shape from a small ball of dough by rolling in your hands and pressthis gently onto your baking tray(Its easier to build your salt dough pieces directly onto the tray you will use tocook them rather than try and move them while they are still uncooked I havebuilt my eggs onto the kitchen surface because it will be easier for you to see whatIm doing)
2 Roll out a piece of salt dough and use it to cover the bottom end of youregg like a blanket When you are happy with the position gently lift andrun a wet paintbrush between the two pieces to glue them together
3 Cut out an egg cup shape around your egg
4 Use a damp paintbrush to push the egg cup onto the eggand ensure it sticks
(A damp paintbrush also helps soften edges and blend any creases or cracks)
5 Uncurl an old metal paperclip and push into the dough to form a hangingloop You can use a piece of any wire I try and use paperclips or a piece of wire
coat-hanger as I like to recycle An alternative hanging method is to create a smallhole (or two holes for larger pieces) and thread a ribbon or piece of leather shoelacethrough the hole tying it to make a loop)
6 Cut out a small bow shape from a piece of flattened dough
7 Cut two ribbon ends from a rectangle of flattened dough
8 Use a wet paintbrush to layer the ribbon ends onto thetop of your egg
9 Attach the bow in position And add a small piece to the centre ofthe bow to finish
10 Cook
11 Decorate in whatever way takes your fancy hellip have fun
~ Primrose Basket ~
1 Cover a bowl in greaseproof paper and turn upside down onto your baking tray
2 Roll out some dough to approx 5mm thickness and cut into thin stripslong enough to cover your bowl
3 Lay four of these strips across the bottom ofyour bowl
4 Begin weaving four in the opposite direction by gently liftingalternate strips out of the way laying the cross strip and replacingthe lifted strips
5 Then add one strip to each side until you reach the edge of the bowl
6 Trim the edge with a knife or fold the stripsback to form a rough bowl lip You can indentsomething on the dough to secure anddecorate
7 Cook
8 Carefully remove the bowl and paper
9 Make primrose flowers and leaves and glue them to the rim with a wetpaintbrush replacing your bowl in the oven for a short whileLeaves ndash cut rough leaf shapes out of a piece of flatted dough and mark theveins and indent the edges with the back of a knifeFlowers ndash use a small heart cutter to cut 5 heart shapes and place on the rim with pointstogether indenting the centre with your fingertip and then marking with the end of a paintbrushPaint with whichever medium you prefer or have to hand I have used acrylics here leaving thebasket natural and painting the primrose leaves green and the flowers yellow adding someorange to the centres of the flowers while the yellow is still damp for a blurred effect
This article was written by Diannefrom Heartmade Gifts
Join Heartmade Gifts on Facebook
wwwheartmadegiftswordpresscom
Lilac Lace Heart LocketJewellery by Bina
Vintage Victorian StyledSweetheart Locket
Miss Bohemia
pound17
pound15
Emerald Bewitched
youmin
$40
The Bright Forest Locket
marisolspoon
$35
Cameral Locket
mydogandi
$2750
Creative CraftingFavourite
This article was created by
The Crystal Ladyhttpwwwmysticearthcouk
Lockets may sound very old fashioned but if you have a wander through thehandmade sites you will find a wealth of very modern and extremely beautifuldesigns Perfect for you to carry your loved ones with you wherever you go
Bee Joyful LocketThe Whimsical Wren
pound10
SteampunkWatch Mechanism
Locketedmdesigns
$85
Luscious LocketsLuscious Lockets
Who likes Chocolate CakeThis is a great recipe for Easter Mothers day or any other daylets admit it we all love chocolate
Ingredients
7 oz self raising flour8 oz caster sugar1 teaspoon of salt2 tablespoons of cocoa powder4 oz margarine2 eggs beaten with5 tablespoons evaporated milk5 tablespoons water1 teaspoon vanilla essence
1 Sift together flour sugar and salt and cocoa2 Rub in margarine3 Stir in eggs essence and liquids then beat well4 Grease and flour 2 8 inch cake tins divide the mixture between them5 Bake in a moderate over 325-350 F gas mark 3 about 35 minutes6 When cold sandwich together and cover in milk chocolate icing
Milk chocolate Icing
Ingredients
2 and a half oz margarine or butter4 tablespoons cocoa8 oz sieved icing sugar3 tablespoons hot milk1 teaspoon vanilla essence
Melt the margarine or butter and blend incocoa powder then stir in icing sugar milkand vanilla essence Beat until smooth andthick
We hope you all enjoy the recipe we would love to see anypictures of chocolate cakes that you make
Instructions
Instructions
Written and reviewed by Peggyrsquos Knitshttppeggyscollectionwebscom
By Sprinkles Sparkleshttpwwwsprinklessparklescouk
All prices are correct at the time of publication
Budget amp LuxurySpring special
Woodland DaffodilsCharm Bracelet
Coco Angel Rosepound1600
Spring Flower Hair ClipFlutter2me
pound450
Spring flowers broochDi Does Craft
pound800
Pink Spring Clutchfunky diva designs
pound1750
Cupcake BuntingCotton Cottage
pound1650
Purple TulipsWildrose Ridge
pound350
Chickadees and LilacsStained Glass WindowStained Glass Addie
pound4940
The Charlotte - SageRosalind Jamespound14500
Springtime 16 Crayon RollApple n Amos
pound509
Buttercup earrings in softyellow with peridot and brass
Goblins Marketpound401
Springtime DalaFolk Horse HangingDecoration - YellowCourt and Spark
pound400
D A P H N E - BrokenChina Plate Pendant
and Sterling Silver NecklaceDesigns by Mila
pound2228
To make the leaves
Using DK yarn and 300 mm hook make 5 leaves as follows
Rnd 1 9ch dc in 2nd ch 1htr in next ch 1tr in each of next 6ch 3ch ss in base of last tr worked
Now work on opposite side of stitches by turning the work
Rnd 2 3ch 1tr in each of next 6ch 1htr in next ch dc ss in top of first stFasten off and sew in loose ends
Materials
Small quantity of DK yarn I have used a yarn with awool-mix but any DK yarn of your choice will be suitableSmall quantity of kid mohair yarn (use two strands together)300 mm hook200 mm hookOne large buttonBrooch pinSewing needle
To make the small rose
Using a 200 mm hook and working two strands of kid mohair yarn together 13ch
Rnd 1 1tr 2ch 1tr in 4th ch (skip 2ch 1tr 2ch 1tr in next ch) 3 times (4 v- spaces)
Rnd 2 3ch 6tr into next v-space 1dc into space between v-spaces Continue with 6tr into eachv-space and 1dc in between spaces until end ss into last ch Fasten off
Roll the work with fingers from start to finish to create a small rose flower and sew together at thebase
Assembling the brooch
Turn the flower so the right side is facing up and sew the button in the centre of the flowerAttach the rose to the centre of the button as shown in diagram Sew a brooch pin to the back of theflower to complete the brooch
Arrange the 5 leaves to form a circle so thecorners of the leaves are touching Sew eachcorner together to form the petals of aflower
Turn the work so the wrong side is facing upand close the hole by sewing together withthe same DK yarn used to make the leaves
Crochet Flower Brooch
ch - chain stitchdc - double crochethtr - half treble crochetss - slip stitchtr - treble crochetst - stitch
Crochet Mobile PhoneiPod Cosy
Materials
50g Dk yarn in mustard colourSmall quantity of DK yarn in bright pink for picot edgingof cosy and small roseSmall quantity of DK yarn in sage green for leaves of roseflowerSize 300mm hook
Instructions for the cosy
The cosy can be made to fit a mobile phoneiPod of your choice
Pattern note the pattern is worked in dc throughout and worked in the round using the tapestrycrochet method of crochet This involves carrying a second yarn below the first making it verystrong
Foundation row
Using one strand of DK yarn in mustard make a chain that measures the width of your mobilephoneipod
Rnd 1 dc across row until the last chain 2dc in last chain Turn work
Rnd 2 Begin to carry a second strand of mustard yarn throughouteach round and every round from now on This yarn is not worked butcarried below the first strand of yarn
Work along the opposite side of the row just worked 1dc in first ch1ch in each chain until the last chain 2dc in last chain Now mark thelast stitch just worked with a different colour yarn so you can see theend of the round and keep moving this marker up to the last stitchworked
Rnd 3 Dc in each chain around working in spirals moving the stitchmarker as the piece grows Continue until the work measures thedesired length to fit the mobileiPod Fasten off and tie in loose ends
ch - chain stitchdc - double crochethtr - half treble crochetss - slip stitchtr - treble crochetst - stitch
Instructions for rose flower
Rnd 1 Using DK yarn in bright pink 1tr 2ch 1tr in 4th ch (skip 2ch1tr 2ch 1tr in next ch) 3 times (4 v- spaces)
Rnd 2 3ch 6tr into next v-space 1dc into space between v-spacesContinue with 6tr into each v-space and 1dc in between spaces untilend ss into last ch Fasten off
Roll the work with fingers from start to finish to create a small rose flower and sew together at thebase
Instructions for leaves
Using DK yarn and 300mm hook make 2 leaves as follows
Rnd 1 5ch dc in 2nd ch 1htr in next ch 1tr in each of next 2ch 3ch ss in base of last tr workedNow work on opposite side of stitches by turning the work
Rnd 2 3ch 1tr in each of next 2 ch 1htr in next ch dc ss in top of first st Fasten off and sew inloose ends
Assembly
Sew the leaves to the reverse of the rose and attach to the cosy as shown in the picture
Picot edging
Rnd 1 Using DK yarn in bright pink dc into each stitch around the edge of the cosy opening ss tofirst dc
Rnd 2 3ch ss into 2nd chain from hook ss into base of 3ch dc into next 2ch 3ch continuefrom to ss into last ch Fasten off and sew in loose ends
Written by Andrea Lesley Crochethttpwwwfolksycomshopsandrealesleycrochet
Materials
T - shirt - colour your choiceScissorsChainSewing needle and threadCorsage or embellishments
Step 1 First get a plain whitet-shirt
Step 2 Then cut off the neck Step 3 Now sew two pieces of chain to each side of where theneckline should be
Step 4 Cut a triangle out ofthe bottom of the t-shirt
Step 5 Tie the two ends thatare left into a knot or bow
Step 6 Finally add a corsageor flower to the front
Step 7 Now you have a bang on trend crop top simply wear over a vest top I loved designing andgokking up this t-shirt it took minutes and didnt cost a lot either
Corsage made by Madam SalamihttpwwwetsycomshopMadamSalami
Written By Heidi Jackson
Favourite finds from around the crafting communityThis months focus is Easter and Spring
Click on the images to take you to their store
Online StreetMISI
Ring With A FlowerBlue Fish Handmade
pound800
Spring necklace in glassand sterling silver
RosieJo Jewellerypound1275
Easter Eggs CardNaomi Constable
pound250
FOLKSY
Easter rabbit cushionwith choccie eggs
Phoebelinas Treasurespound500
Easter Knitted BagsFluerette
pound300
Small Gorgeous FeltSpring Bouquets
Spare Minute Productionspound2000
WOW THANK YOU
Green And Brown PetalFlower Bracelet
Sprinkles Sparklespound3750 inc pampp
Handmade Pink Canvas Wall Art(Set of 3)
Craft on Canvaspound3900 inc pampp
Blue Easter ChickDharmapaintings
pound12 20 inc pampp
All prices correct at the time of publication
Favourite finds from around the crafting communityThis months focus is Easter and Spring
Click on the images to take you to their store
Best PicksUGLY BE GONE
Handpainted DottyDolly Pegs
Ticketty Boopound650
Quirky Motifs ShopperRachael Taylor
pound1500
Collette the Cow BibBaby Boutique
pound1100
The Cutie Pie - recycledpaper butterfly shadow boxThe WingSpan Collection
pound6421
Easter 1 Square PendantHappy Easter Spring Flowers
Miss Gooseberry Pendantspound321
ETSY
RETROEasterplastic springfling daisy clip-on earringsamber brown makes art
pound208ARTFIRE
Easter Egg Mini Cards 2x2 6Peculiar Parchment
pound170
Spring Chicks - Little FusedGlass Dish - Easter Gift
First Light Glasspound926
4 Chocolate Easter ParadeBunny Lollipops extra large
Candy Cottagepound741
All prices correct at the time of publication
What you will need3 x 10 inch lengths of purple Cylon cord10mm silver plated lobster clasp and clasp tag2 x silver plated fold over necklace endsApprox 24 Rose Quartz gemstone chip beads(holes need to be large enough to thread onelength of the cylon cord though)2 x 4mm silver plated jump rings
Rose Quartz is the stone of unconditionalloveIt purifies and opens the heart helping thewearer to love themselves as well as others
Rose Quartz draws off negative energy andhelps release unexpressed emotions
Encourages self forgiveness and acceptanceaids self trust and self worth
I find it easier to use a macrame board for making this type of bracelet as it make it easier tokeep the design neat but its not essential I use a simple board made from a cork notice boardand pins I also use nylon nosed pliers to fold over the necklace ends as I find metal pliers oftenleave marks but again they arent essential
Step 2 Thread a chip bead onto each of the outer lengths ofcord
Step 3 Cross the outer cordsover the middle one as youwould in a braid Then braid thecords again
Step 1 Attach one of thenecklace ends to one end ofthe three lengths of CyloncordYou can then use the hole inthe end to attach the braceletto your board
Make a Rose Quartz Bracelet
Step 6 Attach the secondnecklace end to the three cordwithout cutting them as it makesit easier The ends can then betrimmed with a craft knife orsharp scissors
Step 7 Using the jump ringsattach the clasp to one end ofthe bracelet and the clasp tagto the other
Step 4 Thread two chip beadson to the new outer lengths ofcord and braid as in the previousstep
Step 5 Repeat step three and four untilthe bracelet reaches seven inchesor your desired length
(The clasp section will measureapproximately one inch)
If the cord ends become frayed they canbe fixed with a little super glue
Step 8 And there you areOne finished rose quartzbracelet
Would you like to share a craft project with Creative Crafting
Let us know what project you would like toshare with us
Anything from jewellery knitting and crochetcrafts paper crafts or a craft you feel hasbeen forgotten about
Email thecrystalladycreative-craftingcom
Written by Elderberry Artshttpwwwelderberryartscouk
To those who are not yet aware Prince William and Kate Middleton will tie the knot this month onFriday 29th April in a quiet little ceremony at Westminster Abbey To some this may mean getting aday off to celebrate the nuptials or actually attend the whole affair To others like myself who areself-employed there will be no day off and hence little difference from a normal day but we can stillbe happy for the two love birds entering a state of marital bliss for the first timeIn these uncertain economic times I am not sure how the Royal Wedding will affect the economyhow much money will people want to spend Will this mean street parties like those that dominatemany peoplersquos memories from Prince Charles and Dianarsquos wedding back in 1981 Will there be arush to purchase ridiculously crass lsquosouvenirrsquo mugs plates tea towels or will the market just not bethere at all with all the unsold Royal Wedding goods in the pound shops by JuneThe handmade and crafting sector needs to be aware of the sales potential created by this Royalevent and so products should be made available to support the celebrations and possibly make thecountry feel good about itself again Maybe a lovely warm spring day in April will be good for thecountry and make it forget its economic woes for a few hoursWe asked a number of our sellers about their experience of the last big Royal Wedding (Charles andDiana) and what they are going to do this time to celebrate There were mixed feelings ndash manywere too young to remember much about the 1981 event and even though I remember a day offfrom school I cannot remember any street parties or spontaneous Mardi Gras This time around Ithink money will be a big factor and most people will not stray too far from a bit of home baking inred white and blue and also a show of patriotic bunting Union Jacks are quite the lsquoin thingrsquo at themoment for interior design and so a patriotic statement may double as being hip and trendy
Kim Lampard of Zigzag Bunting thinks a great way tocelebrate the Royal Wedding is to make your own buntingShe suggests pulling together a pile of fabrics that you nolonger need but that hold cherished memories for you forexample your daughterrsquos first cute dress a tea-towel youbought on a special holiday an old bedspread made by your
Granny Even if the items are damaged so cannot be passed on to others there is always a littlecorner that can be cut up into a triangle to make a bunting flag Mix a few of these together and ifyou have enough for a colour scheme (such as red white and blue) fine but donrsquot worry the flagsdonrsquot even need to be the same size Sometimes a shabby chic lsquoMix and Matchrsquo approach turns outto be perfect Sew the fabric triangles onto a piece of ribbon or bias tape and you will have awonderful string of bunting to decorate for the special day You and your family will remember notonly the Royal Wedding when you bring out that bunting but have extra glimpses of their past inthe fabrics Definitely a memento to cherish
Gaye Weekes of A amp V Designs now lives in Snowdonia North Wales and onlyan hour away from Anglesey where the Royal couple will begin their marriedlife She has no doubt had that His Highness has been hovering over theirremote valley in his helicopter over recent months Gaye plans to be flying redwhite and green Welsh bunting for the wedding Her bunting is made fromvintage fabric from the 1950s and 1960s - a cotton heavy woven greenand cream floral and a jolly red and white gingham She adds ldquo
rdquo
This article was written by
from
httpwwwwowthankyoucouk
Karine Ait-Mohamed of The Pink Fairy Cake isFrench but now lives in England She says ldquo
rdquo In the spirit of the occasion Karinehas produced a product that combines both England and France into the celebration Shehas produced sets of two Union Jack hearts filled with lavender from Chateau la Gabelle inHaute-Provence
Lisa MacDonald of LisaMollyMacDonaldis quite enthusiastic about the weddingand getting caught up in the glamour of the
occasion ldquo
rdquo
Lou Carswell of Loubie Jewels has some prettyfantastic red white and blue jewellery which wouldbe suitable for a Royal wedding celebration She told
us ldquo
rdquo
So what can we gather from these observations It will be a nice idea to celebrate the RoyalWedding If we apply a little lsquowartimersquo austerity (handmade lends itself to recycling andupcycling) we shouldnrsquot have to spend a fortune We can step back from commercialism andbe involved in a low key but meaningful way that will make the event more memorable for itssimplicity and just a little thrift God Bless William and Kate
Tell us about yourself
My name is Sandra Ritchie I live in Cleethorpes UK with my husbandJason my 10 year old daughter Alisha my 2 year old son Alfred andour dog Dumbledore Primarily I am a housewife but in my sparetime I make jewellery of all kinds from beaded pieces to metal workbut mainly I make custom-made bespoke precious metal jewellery
When did your crafting begin and why
Many years ago I studied Jewellery and Metal Art at college andover time Ive collected the tools I needed but never got round tosetting up a workroom until 2009 when my Husband pointed outthat our Utility Room would be perfect for me to set up as aworkroom to start making jewellery again It seemed ideal Ialready had people interested in me making them some jewelleryand it meant I could stay at home and look after the children as wellas try to establish a name for myself as a Jewellery designermaker
What was the first item you made to sell online
The first item I made to sell whilst not specifically to sell online was asilver octopus necklace commissioned by an acquaintance of mine thathad seen the silver octopus necklace that I made for myself whilst atcollege and wanted one like it She has since purchased the silver andcopper entwined Dragon necklace and a commissioned silver Dragonand is back on my list for another piece to be made My number onefan I think
What is your biggest crafting achievement and why
I love all the pieces Ive created especially my Custom work but myfavourite piece of all is the Greenman necklace I was approached tomake something as a surprise for someone and was basically giventhe opportunity to produce something different to my usual pieces Ilove making pieces that are based on peoples ideas of what theywant that is really special but the Greenman necklace was mydesign based on what the customer wanted it to represent I had toteach myself etching for the piece as its something Id never learntand Im really pleased with how it worked out
Other than crafting what else do you like to do
I love spending time with my children and family I love baking andcooking too and I suppose I should admit to enjoying the oddrelaxing glass (or bottle) of nice wine when the children are in bed
wwwlittlefairycultcouk
Where would you like to be in 5 years
In 5 years time Id love to be in a better financial position so I canbuy silver and make silver jewellery to sell that isnt just Custom-made Ive started sneaking a few pieces of precious metal jewellerythat are for general sale onto my site
Where does your inspiration come from
My inspiration is usually from the customers themselves They tell mewhat it is they want and I design a piece to reflect that Sometimes theyalter the design slightly to reflect more of how they want it and that isfine For my bead jewellery its usually what beads I have in myworkroom that inspire my beaded pieces I very rarely buy beads for thereason that I have a design idea and usually just buy mixed lots of beadsand work with what I have
What are your favourite materials and why
I really love working with precious metals There is somethinguniquely satisfying about taking a flat sheet of metal and turning itinto a beautiful piece of jewellery Thats why I take pictures of thepieces as I am making them so that other people and the customerwhos item it is can enjoy seeing it progress from a blank piece ofprecious metal into the finished piece
What is favourite shop online that isnrsquot yours and why
Oh my There are so many amazing websites offering beautiful andunique handmade items but I will always take a look at Etsy to see ifthere is anything that catches my eye on there They have such a largevariety of designerssellers making almost everything but the kitchen sink(though I bet if you looked hard enough youd find one on there) Ireally enjoy the little treasuries they do too where you can browse aselection of items that are grouped together by themes
Has any person helped or supported you more than any other
I have had a lot of support from the good friends I have gained on Twitter and of coursemy real life friends have been extremely supportive too but the main reason I actuallysorted out my workroom (or corner of the utility room) was due to my husband insistingthat I start making jewellery again Luckily his insistence and support paid off virtuallystraight away when a friend asked for the octopus necklace I mentioned earlier to bemade
Tell us a random fact about yourself
I have known the sex of each child and whether Id be carrying one or more before I evenconceived them Fairly random but fact nevertheless
Kit includes seed beads 5 x handmade glass beads choker wire x 3 banglewire x 2 ring wire x 3 jewellery pliers beading mat instructions
Makes 8 fabulous and individual pieces of jewellery without the need forfiddly findings books or other money-wasters
Beaded Jewellery Kitpound12Japan Crafts
A coordinating selection of beads plus step-by-step full colour instructions to make your own version of the Jungle Collar design Learn how to work peyote stitch edge it with drops and embellish it with a lush fringe and beaded flowers and leaves Let your beading imagination run wild
Each kit is hand-picked and slightly different so the beads you receive may not be the exact onesshown in the photograph but you can be certain that your necklace will be uniqueThe kit comes carefully packaged in a handy reusable storage box the only things yoursquoll need inaddition are a beading needle a spool of nylon beading thread and some sharp scissors
Beadweaving Kit for Jungle Collar
pound38Lynn Davy
Fairy Earrings Jewellery Making Kit - Ages 7yrs+
pound5Jewellery Making Kits
These single kits are fabulous for all crafty and creative girls They also make great presents for school friends nieces sisters or even grown ups Each kit includes Sterling Silver earwires or studs a small selection of flowers for the skirt a pair of wings a few coloured glass pearls for the heads silver headpin Organza Bag Full set of instructionsSuitable for ages 7 years and up Requires a pair of pliers to finish off - all instructions included
Bracelet Kit - Chunky Swarovski Pearl and Crystal with Toggle Clasp
pound750Wonderstuff Craft Kits
A little kit of bronze Swarovski pearls and Golden Shadow Swarovski crystals silk and toggle clasp
Kit includes 11 x Swarovski 12mm Pearls Colour - Soft Bronze 3 x Swarovski Crystal 8mm Rondelles - Colour - Golden Shadow 8 x Swarovski Crystal 4mmBicones Colour - Light Colorado Topaz 1 x Silver Plated Toggle Bar 1 x Silver plated Toggle RingBracelet length of threading silk Instructions
This kit contains top quality beads to make an exquisite braceletno special tools are needed
Jewellery making kits
from the small crafterWersquove found a selection of wonderful beading kits for allages and experience These are not massed producedsets but offered by the small crafter
This article was created by The Crystal Lady httpwwwmysticearthcouk
This Months
This months lsquoMan of the Monthrsquo is Ade (Adrian)EdmondsonChosen by MegampMillie
This months lsquoLady of the Monthrsquo is GwenStefaniChosen by Claire Pearcy from Elderberry Arts
httpwwwgwenstefanicom
httpwwwunrealitytvcouklets-dance-for-comic-relieflets-dance-for-comic-relief-results-ade-edmondson-and-eighties-super-group-make-next-weeks-final
(Nothing like an April Fools)
This months lsquoBlog of the Month Awardrsquo goes to lsquoItrsquos All Fiddle Fartrsquo
httpitsallfiddlefartblogspotcom
This months lsquoShop of the Month Awardrsquo goes to lsquoJulias DriftwoodFurniturersquo
httpwwwfolksycomshopsseasandview123
ww
wc
reativ
e-cr
afting
co
mw
ww
cr
eative-c
on
nec
tion
snin
gc
om
CREATIVE CRAFTING
Our next issue will be available to read on
1st June 2010If you have missed any of our issues you
can find them to read on our websitewwwcreative-craftingcom
And also on our Social Network Creative Connectionswwwcreative-connectionsningcom
To advertise in Creative Crafting or to submit an article please contact Annaat thecrystalladycreative-craftingcom
AUGUSTSUMMER 2010
Issue 5
By Crafters for Crafters
Check out our
CraftersDirectory
CREATIVE CRAFTING
By Crafters for Crafters
Issue 3
ValentinesMothers Day 2010
HandcraftedWeddingSpecial
Valentine ampMothers Day
Projects
Have youbeen
featured
By Crafters for Crafters
Issue 3ValentinesMothers Day 2010
Handcrafted
Wedding
SpecialValentine amp
Mothers Day
ProjectsHave you
been
featured
By
EASTER 2010
Issue 4
FATHERS DAY 2010
Issue 4
By Crafters for Crafters
Ch
eck out our
Craft
ersDirectory
AUGUSTSUMMER 2
010
Issu
e 5
By Craf
ters fo
r Craf
ters
Chec
k out our
Crafters
Directory
CREATIVE
C
RAFTINGAU
TUM
N H
ALLO
WEE
N 201
0Is
sue
7
CREA
TIVE
CRAF
TIN
G
By Craf
ters f
or C
rafter
s
Chec
k
out our
Craft
ersDirect
ory
An
niv
ersa
ry
Issu
e
Donrsquot forget
All of our links andadverts are fullyclickable
If you would like to embed our magazine into your website blog myspace page etc you can
customise the code to suit your style and size
AUTUMN HALLOWEEN 2010
Issue 7CREATIVE CRAFTING
By Crafters for Crafters
Check out our
CraftersDirectory
Anniversary
Issue
CHRISTMAS 2010
Issue 8
By Crafters for Crafters
FATHERS DAY 2010
Issue 4
By Crafters for Crafters
Check out our
Crafters
Directory
EASTER 2010
Issue 4
By Crafters for Crafters
By Crafters for Crafters
VALENTINES 2011Issue 9
CREATIVE CRAFTING
wwwcreative-craftingcom
In this Issue
Regular Features
Special Features
6 Crafters DirectoryThe best place to go whenyou are looking for thatspecial handcrafted item
Another visit with ourfavourite green fingeredfriend
A selection of handcraftedgemstone productsselected by our CrystalLady
A wonderful selection ofhandcrafted itemshandpicked by SprinklesSparkles
40 Online Street Best Picks
Discover unusual andforgotten crafts with TheCrystal Lady This issue wefind out about knitting withDog Hair
29 Weird and Wonderful Crafts
Sprinkles Sparkles finds morecraft items from both ends ofthe price scale
35 Budget amp Luxury
26 Tina in the Garden
15 Crystal Magic
More winners of our Blogand Shop awards and theall important lsquoman of themonthrsquo
49 This Months
Diane from Peggyrsquos Knitsreviews some of yourwonderful products
10 Di saw it first
Diane from Peggyrsquos Knitstracks down anotherCelebrity This issue shespeaks to Tania Vital
19 Dianes Celebrity Chats
Everyones favourite Awonderful recipe broughtto you by Dianes Mum
34 Who likes chocolate Cake
Recipes
Learn about the fascinatingworld of Millinery with Lisafrom Off With Her Head
16 If you want to get ahead get a hat
They may seem oldfashioned but just take alook at the beautiful itemsfound by The Crystal Lady
33 Luscious Lockets
Tracey from Wow ThankYou asks how people feelabout the the Royal Do
44 My Big Fat Royal Wedding
Kits donrsquot have to be massproduced
48 Jewellery making kits from the small crafter
16
33
19
12
30
wwwcreative-connectionsningcom
Interviews
Yoursquoll never look at brokenceramics the same wayagain
24 An Interview with Laura by the Sea
Sandra creates the moststunning metal jewelleryTake a look
46 An Interview with Little Fairy Cult
Sarah from Ragtag Rugshas a rug project for us
22 Rug Making
Dianne from HeartmadeGifts shares somewonderful Salt Dough Giftideas Perfect for Easterand Mothers Day
30 Easter Salt Dough
A long awaited crochetproject from the talentedAndrea Lesley Crochet
36 How to Crochet a flower brooch
Projects
Another wonderful projectand competition withGemma from BeadsUnlimited
12 Make your own striking Spring Necklace and Earrings
Claire from Elderberry Artsshows us how to make alovely fleece hat for thelittle ones
20 Make a childrenrsquos fleece hat
Another crochet projectfrom Andrea LesleyCrochet
37 How to Crochet a mobile phoneipod cosy
Heidi gives us a great ideafor old t-shirts
38 A Teenagers guide to lsquoGokrsquo up a t-shirt
Another stunning jewelleryidea with Elderberry Arts
42 Make a Rose Quartz Bracelet
29
44
20
46
24
34
If you would like to be featured in our directory please visit our website
Crafterrsquos DirectoryThe perfect place to find beautiful gifts
Handcrafted items are becoming a popular alternative tomass produced items
Lovingly created and often surprisingly inexpensiveBrowse through our directory and
click on the links to visit a world of beautiful craft shops
Off With Her HeadOff With Her Head
LamingtonsLemonade and
Custom made HealingJewellery
lsquoJust for yoursquo
PeggyrsquosCollection
Made with love and care
Ragtag Rugs
If you would like to be featured in our directory please visit our website
Crafterrsquos DirectoryThe perfect place to find beautiful gifts
Handcrafted items are becoming a popular alternative to mass produced itemsLovingly created and often surprisingly inexpensive
Click on the links to visit a world of beautiful craft shops
Averilpam Design Handcrafted one of a kind jewellery and bags Folksy
Designs By Isis Beautiful and unique handmade jewellery waiting for you to treatyourself Website
Elderberry Arts Hand crafted unique and uncommon silver gemstone glass gay andbisexual jewellery Website
Enigma Jewellery Unusual handmade jewellery amp gifts using Sterling Silver Hill TribeSilver Swarovski Crystals - most items are one off designs Folksy
Kokokelli Gorgeous Handmade Jewellery amp Greeting Cards at affordable prices Folksy
LauraFaye Crafts Eclectic gorgeous bright and contemporary - beaded jewellery andgifts resin jewellery polymer clay pieces cards and artwork Website
Madam CC Something old Something new Folksy
Mystic Earth Gemstone Healing Jewellery personal matching service available Website
Pretty Beautiful Designs byMaria
Unique handmade jewellery necklaces bracelets and earrings perfectfor every occasion from everyday to a big night out Website
RastafairyMalaika Beautifully crafted macrame jewellery with semi-precious stonesComissions taken Etsy
Rosie-Jo High quality handmade beaded jewellery featuring sterling silver semiprecious stones glass wood felt porcelain and tensha beads Misi
Snow Queen Trinkets Kiln Fused Dichroic Glass Jewellery Folksy
Sprinkles Sparkles Bespoke Handmade Jewellery and Accessories Website
The Jewellery Angel Cute Colourful and Kitsch Jewellery Folksy
The Vintage Jewellery Box Hand-designed vintage-inspired jewellery with a modern twist offering afresh alternative to girls who like to wear something a bit different Website
Neate Crafts Painting Knitting Pyrography amp lots more Misi
Painted Ghost Handmade accessories for baby and child home of the Bibbla Website
Crafterrsquos DirectoryThe perfect place to find beautiful gifts
Handcrafted items are becoming a popular alternative to mass produced itemsLovingly created and often surprisingly inexpensive
Click on the links to visit a world of beautiful craft shops
SudrsquonrsquoSoothe Juice Bar just got a new meaning Website
Radiance Crystals Bespoke Bridal and Occasion Jewellery Website
All things Nice The home of unique affordable arts and crafts Folksy
Diomo Glass A range of Stained Glass Gifts by a Stained Glass Artist I recycle glass tocreate gifts and other novel little items of interest fun and meaning Folksy
FloralGifts4U Beautiful floral gifts for all occasions Sock posies are our speciality Website
Lemonade and Lamingtons Homewares amp accessories fresh amp exciting Folksy
Ragtag Rugs Handmade rugs from recycled textiles Folksy
Court amp Spark Handmade Textiles by Phillippa Harding An original range ofDecorations Soft Furnishing Cards amp Gifts with a VintageRetro Twist Website
Dab and a Dash Unique handmade JournalsNotebooks Fabric covers and stitchedbinding Folksy
Kelso Kreations Handmade Gifts for that special occasion Folksy
Little ScruffsMiniature Mohair Artist Bears with loads of character Vintage style collectable Website
Moody Cow Designs Unique handmade handbags and accessories Folksy
pipdesigns Ipad Covers Purses Handbags - Designer amp Funky Fabrics Folksy
Wraggamuffins Handmade chocolate truffles a perfect Valentines gift to show someonehow much you love them Website
If you would like to be featured in our directory please visit our website
Ann Chandler Originals Unique bags and accessories in unusual fabrics including vintagekimono silks funky cotton prints and upcycled clothing Folksy
Off With Her Head Vintage Inspired Millinery hats and fascinators based on originalvintage designs illustrations and photographs and custom designs Website
Crafterrsquos DirectoryThe perfect place to find beautiful gifts
Handcrafted items are becoming a popular alternative to mass produced itemsLovingly created and often surprisingly inexpensive
Click on the links to visit a world of beautiful craft shops
Beads4Breakfast Artisan lampwork beads made in my kitchen studio Commissions taken Website
The Little Bead Box Beautiful Beads and Jewellery Supplies Folksy
UK Craft Store Novelty buttons and more Website
Abstract Cat Crafts Colourful high quality hand-dyed and hand-painted knitting yarn Website
Andrea Lesley Crochet Beautiful handmade crochet gifts Folksy
Joyknitt Joyknitt Knits Misi
NOfkants Curios Hand Knitted and Crocheted Unique Handbags Folksy
Peggyrsquos Knits Quality knitted items Website
Wharfedale Woolworks Hand painted yarns and custom knits Folksy
Creative CraftingAdvertise with
wwwcreative-craftingcomadvertisehtml
A mouse here could take customersto your store
We care about yourcraft business
Prices startfrom only pound2
The Broken Doll Unique greeting cards and gifts from The Doll for that something a littlebit different Folksy
Di saw it first craftreviews
Thank you to everyone that has sent in items for the review Such gorgeous handmade giftsThere really are many very talented people out there
All of these items are going to be able to be won by one of our lucky readers Could it be you
Delightful canvas personalised bag and hair accessoriesSo well made and presented gorgeously These would makesuch a good gift for any little girl Beautiful detail and somany choices of what to buy The details on them areexceptionalwwwjaydesignshairclipscouk
Gorgeous hand made beaded bracelet with little pink bowsso well made and would compliment any outfit
Has so many gorgeous pieces in her shop something foreveryone Comes in a gorgeous little organza bag packagedbeautifullywwwmychicuniqueetsycom
Handmade gorgeous card called Moonlit Bay This card isso stunning the details that have gone into it really show
A very professional finish and hand signed by the artistMimi who is based in Cornwall Mini makes some gorgeousitems and it is so nice to have her Cornwall influencesinspiring her artworkwwwartbymimicouk
This is a stunning necklace made with lampwork beads and Swarovskicrystalspearls and glass bicones with glass seed beads The coloursare amazing and really stand out
Packaged in a beautiful aqua organza bag to compliment thenecklace This would be a great gift for anyone and I am sure youwould get so many compliments from wearing thiswwwscottishprincesscouk
Di saw it first craftreviews
Recycled fabric notebookjournal has 3 pages and is A5 size with2 decorative pagesThe front page also has a pretty nameplate with 3D flowers on it
Made very well and would be an absolutely wonderful gift for any one to receive regardless of their age Although it is unsuitable for very young children due to the decorative disc on the front cover My nieces both loved this notebook and I am sure it would be a great gift for little girls and a very special keepsake book
wwwfolksycomshopsdabdash
Nursing necklace from a company called Booby and The BeadsAbsolutely stunning colours and made very well Pinks and reds reallycompliment each other Packaged in a beautiful pink organza bag
A great idea for a present for any ladyhttpwwwfacebookcompagesBooby-The-Beads-Nursing-Necklaces-Reminder-Bracelets -more157477778613
Lovely handmade bookmark made with material andcharms So different and would make an excellentgift Never seen a bookmark with so much detail onBefore
Gorgeous handmade charm packaged and has so muchdetail on it This would be perfect on your bag or keys and Iam sure everyone would ask where you bought it from Bothpackaged beautifullywwwd-k-designscouk
You could win all these goodies by entering our giveaway
Just enter you name and email address to be in fora chance of winning all these handmade gifts
wwwcreative-craftingcomgiveawayhtml
Closing date for entries is 31st May 2011
Written and reviewed by Peggyrsquos Knitshttppeggyscollectionwebscom
Make this simple striking necklace using beadedheadpins and chain to add a bold statement
to your favourite outfit
MaterialsI used Beads Unlimited products in the following quantities tocomplete the jewellery set -
100g x high quality glass mix pink tones (GLXH22)1 x 40 mm silver foil flat round lime green (GLCN4028)50 cm x heavy chain ( sold per meter) silver plated (CHHSP)2 x (1 pack of 10) 8 mm jump ring silver plated (JR8SP)1 x pack of 100 headpins silver plated (HPSP)2 x (1 pack of 6) long ballwires silver plated (LBWSP)1 x (1 pack of 12) eyepins silver plated (EPSP)1 x trigger clasp silver plated (TRGSP)You will also need a pair of multi pliers (CRMT)
Step 1 Thread thelime green beads ontoan eyepinWith the round nosedpart of the pliers bendthe eyepin into a loopdonrsquot close it yet
Step 2 Measure andCut 28 cm and 12 cmof chainAttach one length toeach eye on the beadedeyepin and close theloop
Step 3 Thread a beadof your choice from thepink mix onto a headpinTrim the headpin 1 cmabove the beadsAttach to the chain linknext to the lime greenbeads Close the loop
Gemma is inspired by everything around her from colourand form to the materials she uses and by using manytraditional techniques with contemporary ideas she createsjewellery with her individual style
Make your ownStriking Necklace and Earrings
Step 4 Continue to addbeads from the pink mixin the way to create atapered look on each sideThe shorter length of chainshould be beaded along 5 cmand the longer length 14 cm
Step 5 Attach and 8 mmjump ring to one and of thenecklace ends and a jumpring with a trigger clasp tothe other
Finished necklace
To make the earringsCut a 5 cm length of chain Attach a long ballwire to one end and bead inthe same way as the necklace Make sure you attach a bead to the endlineRepeat to make a pair
Designed by Gemma fromwwwbeadsunlimitedcouk
This necklace and earring set could be yoursVisit wwwcreative-craftingcomgiveawayto enter
Competition end date is -31st May 2011
Beautiful Jewellery to helpyou through life
wwwmysticearthcouk
These pieces of unique jewellery makethe perfect gift for a loved one or a much
needed treat for yourself
MYSTIC EARTH
Have you ever thought ofhaving a piece of
Gemstone and CrystalHealing Jewellery Created
lsquojust for yoursquoEach stone matched to your needs
The Crystal Lady at Mystic Earthcan offer you this service
Quality KnittedItems
httpwwwpeggyscollectionwebscom
PeggyrsquosCollection
Made with love and care
Mother Nature has provided us withwonderful Healing Gemstones and Minerals
PeridotFor this Issue discover the beauty of
(MgFe)2(SiO4)+AlCaMnNiCoCrTi
If you would likemore information about
Crystal Healing Jewelleryyou can contact
The Crystal Lady atthecrystalladymysticearthcouk
httpwwwmysticearthcoukor visit
In the Middle Ages Peridot was employed for warding off evil spiritsand to bestow wisdom and friendship
Mentally -Dissolves oppressive feelings that arise from self-blameAllows us to forgive ourselves
Physically - Peridot has a strong detoxifying effect and stimulates the liverEnhances the liver and gallbladder helps with skin problems even warts
Chakra - Heart Solar Plexus
Peridot Mini Hair Comb
pound14
Lime Crush
pound35Victorian Sterling Silver
Peridot Ring
$38
Chocolate Pearl and PeridotNecklace
$78Jasper Peridot Rhyolite
and Pearl Necklace
pound45
Peridot Chip Bracelet
pound7
As a woman in the UK today if you attend a wedding or the races andparticularly if you are lucky enough to go to Ladies Day at Royal Ascotthen it is usually expected that you should wear a hat or nowadaysa fascinator
If you want to get ahead get a hat
People have always worn hats in someform whether as a protective head covering oras a mark of status within society hats have alwayshad their place In the 15th century it was expectedthat women keep their hair covered wearing veilsand wimples and refashioned male hats were alsopopular
But it was not until the 17th century that womenrsquosheadwear began to take the familiar shape that it does today Bonnetsbecame increasingly popular and at times could be extremely elaboratetrimmed with ribbons lace and feathers
The term lsquomillinerrsquo meaning a maker of womenrsquos hats refers to products derived from Milan andNorthern Italy such as the straws and ribbons used in the making of hats
The haberdashers who imported of these products were known as lsquoMillanersrsquo from which we getthis term The first use of the term in the UK was in the 1700rsquos
Hats were extremely popular at the turn of the 20th century not only forspecial occasions Victorian hats were large brimmed and ornatelydecorated with flowers feathers ribbons and beads The austerity of theSecond World War led to their eventual decline as an everyday pieceof a womanrsquos wardrobe
Nowadays hats and the ever popular fascinator are seeing a resurgencenot in the least thanks to the influences of women such as Sarah JessicaParker Paloma Faith and of course Kate Middleton
Choosing a hat or fascinator needs careful consideration Height faceshape and personality all play a part in shaping your decision A boldfascinator is a statement piece and is certainly not for the shy
Everyone can wear some type of hat or fascinator its just a matter of finding the right one to suityou
There are some amazing British professional milliners working today not least including thelikes of Stephen Jones and Phillip Treacy but you will also find in the UK some wonderful millinersselling their designs on Etsy each producing unique designs to put the perfect finish to any outfitwhatever the occasion
Off With Her Head is run by self taught designer and milliner Lisa Poolewhose designs are fuelled by a love of vintage fashion and moviecostumes
Based in Fife Scotland she prides herself on creating each piece by handand loves to create bespoke pieces for her customers
Off With Her Head focuses on creating vintage inspired pieces andalthough Lisa creates hats and fascinators from various eras in historyshe admits to being a little biased towards the 1950rsquos as its her favouritedecade for fashion
Whatever direction Off With Her Head takes the ethos behind the businessremains the same - quality hats and fascinators at a reasonable price
Off With Her Head ndash Vintage Inspired Millinery
Etsy Store httpwwwetsycomshopmadamequeenyWebsite wwwoffwithherheadcouk
Annalisa Maria Millinery
Annalisa of Annalisa Maria Millinery has always adored hats andbeing the type of person who loves to make things she quitenaturally became interested in millinery
Trained at Kensington and Chelsea college famous for itsmillinery alumni where she learnt all the basics of the trade
She now works out of her London home producing beautifulone of a kind hats and head pieces
Etsy Store wwwetsycomshopdesignsbyannalisa
With so much choice there is absolutely no excuse not to finish your outfit with stunning hatfascinator or headpiecehellip and as they say
Written By Lisa PooleFrom Off With Her Headwwwoffwithherheadcouk
Ella Gajewska is a professional milliner working in London Hats are thelove of her life She has been working as a milliner since 1996 thoughher passion for hats started much earlier in her childhood when Ellacreated hats for her dolls to give them a bit more of an extravagantlook
Having achieved success in Poland where she was a milliners ateliermanager and an inspiring teacher for other young milliners she decidedto take her chances in London the world capital of hats
Since 2001 Ella Gajewska has had the chance of working for renownedateliers and milliners Working in England alongside the best designersof various head wear she has had the chance to develop and perfecther skills even more
Ella Gajewska
Etsy Store wwwetsycomshopEllaGajewskaWebsite wwwellagajewskacom
Little Miss B Design
Little Miss B started out making hats and accessories for herselfand friends uninspired by what was available on the high streetShe decided that shersquod like to give a wider audience the chanceto own a unique Little Miss B creation so began her foray intofashion and millinery
Her inspirations comes from days gone by when style andglamour were more apparent and the quality of craftsmanshipwas high From the 1920s to the 1960s vintage to rockabillyLittle Miss B brings it to the present day with a modern twist
Etsy Store httpwwwetsycomshopLittleMissBDesign
Ive always been artistic in one form or another As a child I always paintedand drew a lot At school I did everything from make a wooden fish pencilholder perspex badges pottery and childrens toys I was very into pencildrawings and shading but I loved using watercolour and other textures formy more cartoonManga style art
I was never very good at what back then was deemed the Girlie stuff I wasmore into woodwork and moulding and graphics This is probably what mademe choose my Bachelor of Science Degree in Architectural Technology Formy degree we used a lot of CAD (Computer Aided Design) to design buildings and building materialsWe also had to craft models of some of our own designs with foam board and other materials I wasin my element with this part of the curriculum
The great thing about craftdesignmaking things - whatever you want to call it is that there is a freedom in Art that you do not get anywhere else There is no right and wrong and no rules The rules come later At the point of concept it is just you and your imagination Which is very liberating and also quite scary because we are conditioned to think within the constraints of rules Art has no rules
Dianes Celebrity ChatsOur lovely Di from Peggyrsquos Knits chats to another celebrity about crafting
Tanya has worked on a number of shows the most recent being the character Adele Alfrey in ITVrsquos Emmerdale She has also worked on other familiar shows with awardwinning producers directors and writers She starred in the BBCcomedy Kerching Her first professional role was in Holby CityShe is also an accomplished presenter and budding playwrightTanya is a former student of the National Youth TheatreTanya told me how she has been artistic about how she sees artand her views on crafting
Please all take a look at Tanyarsquos website which ishttpwwwtanyavitalcom
What you will needFleece material - To determine the size needed- measure the circumference of your head(around your ears) and add 12 inch for seamallowance This will be the width and the lengthmeasurement is 20 inchesCotton thread in the same or contrasting colour
Average Head Sizes -
Newborn (6 months and younger)Circumference 14 to 17 inchesCrown 8 to 10 inches
Infant (6 to 12 months)Circumference 16 to 19 inchesCrown 11 to 12 inches
Child (12 months to 3 years)Circumference 18 to 20 inchesCrown 11 to 12 inches
Step 1 Lay out your fleece on a flat surface anddraw out a rectangle using the measurements forthe hat size required This should be 20 inches longand the width will be the circumference measurementof the size hat your making plus 12 inch seamallowance So to make a hat for a child with a headcircumference of 15 inches the width should be15 12 inches
Claire from Elderberry Arts shows us how to make achildrens hat from fleece material
Why not experiment this Easter holiday
Below are easy to follow instructions and a sizing guide
Thin length of fleece approx 12 inches by12 inchRuler or tape measureTailors chalk or penScissorsPinsSewing needles or sewing machine
Elderberrry Arts
Step 4 Place the right sides of the fleecetogether and pin along the length of thematerial Sew along this edge either by handor machine Knot ends and sewing inside thehem You can trim this hem to make it even andneater if needed
Step 5 Turn the hat right side out andarrange it so the seam is in the middleback From the bottom of your hatmeasure the crown length and place thefleece strip under the hat at this point
Step 6 Tie the ends of thestrip together and pull tightto gather hat
Step 7 Now cut the topsection of the hat into stripsapproximately 12 inch wide
Once youve cut all the wayround the strips can be trimmedto shorten them if required
You could also thread plastic ponybeads on some or all of the stripsknotting the bottom to secure them
Step 2 Cut out the rectangleof fleece Then cut a strip 12inches by 12 inch of fleecefrom the leftover material
Step 3 Pin a hem approx12 inch wide across theshorter length of fleece
Sew either by hand or machineKnot ends and sewing insidethe hem
Written by Elderberry Artshttpwwwelderberryartscouk
Rug Making Ragtag RugsWith
Looking for something fabulous to make using all your old T-shirts sweat shirts and other disusedgarments If so this could be the project for you
The craft of making rag rugs is very traditional and dates backto the mid eighteen hundreds itrsquos still very relevant today whatwith the importance of recycling the other great thing aboutit is that the design on the rug can pretty much be whateveryou want it to be - an image of your pet or your house anabstract or geometric design or something floral traditionalhellip itrsquos totally up to you and your imagination
The technique Irsquoll be using for this project is a method calledlsquohookingrsquo which is very simple and produces a soft and hardwearing pile Irsquove tried to keep everything simple and equipment to a minimum so that everyone canhave a go My favourite fabrics to use are the afore mentioned T-shirts and sweat shirts as they frayvery little but most textiles of a medium thickness can be used
MaterialsVirtually any material can be used in a rag rug some materials are easier to work with than othersThe best materials to use for hooking include T-shirts sweat shirts lightweight cottonssynthetics amplightweight woolsynthetic jumpers Fabrics such as heavy weight denim are not suitableFor this project Irsquove used plain fabrics but patterned fabrics can also be used
HookingStep 1 Working with the Hessian design side up poke the hook through the Hessian and grab thestrip of fabric underneath with the hook
Step 2 Pull the end of the strip of fabric up through the Hessian so that you leave a tail of at least1 cm sticking up
Step 3 Move the hook along about half a centimeter poke it back down through the Hessian andpull a loop of fabric up through to the top of the Hessian a loop height of about 1 cm is best thenjust repeat this technique filling in the required area when you reach the end of a fabric strip pullthe end up through the Hessian and trim it so itrsquos the same height as the loopsMake sure your loops are dense enough and you canrsquot see any of the Hessian backing There is noneed to physically fix the loops in place as they will stay put automatically due to the thickness ofThe fabric and the denseness of the loops
What you will needA piece of Hessian measuring 90 cm x 110 cmSelection of fabrics cut into strips measuring1 - 2 cm wide depending on the thickness ofthe fabric and avoid any seamsRug hookDressmakers pinsScissors
Large-eyed needleBall of woolMarker penYard stick metre ruler2 sheets of thin A4 card or a flattened cereal packetCompassPencil
Ragtag Rugs Rug Making Ragtag RugsWith
Step 1 Using the compass and pencildraw two circles measuring 185 cmacross on the sheets of card and cut theseout using the scissors
Step 2 Using the marker pen and metre rule draw a rectangle on the piece of Hessian measuring63 cm x 84 cm leaving a boarder of about 12 cm all the way around the rectangle Divide therectangle into four giving you central lines for the width and length of the rug Place the card spotson the Hessian in the appropriate places and draw around them using the marker pen for the halfand quarter spots fold one of the card templates accordingly and then draw around it Draw in yourdesigns within the spots
Step 3 Fold under the raw edges of the Hessian and stitch with arunning stitch using the large-eyed needle and wool this is to preventthe Hessian fraying selvedge edges can be left as they are
Step 4 Hook in the strips of fabrics filling in the spots first and then thebackground You can either use the design shown here or make up yourown spots and colour scheme
Step 5 When completed lay the rug face down on the floor and turn in a hem of about 6 cms tothe back of the rug and pin it all the way around fold and pin the corners as neatly as possibleSew the hem to the back of the rug with a running stitch using the large-eyed needle and woolVoila You have a rug
wwwfolksycomshopsragtagrugs
Written by Ragtag Rugs
SupplierFor an American Style Rug Hook costing about pound750 and also Hessian go to Fred Aldous CraftSupplies wwwfredaldouscouk
NoteSome people prefer to use a rug making frame which helps to keep the rugsquare but as the rug wersquore making here is fairly small and wersquore keepingthings simple Irsquove dispensed with this
The first item I sold online was on my Folksy shop(httpwwwfolksycomshopsLaurabyTheSea) and was a vintage ceramic andbead brooch the buyer was very pleased with it and gave me great feedback
Tell us about yourselfMy name is Laura and I live by the sea in the East of England Pakefield to be precise I live with my wonderful Brother who is a musician so we have a very creative household and in our bright conservatory I make ldquoLaura by The Seardquo jewellery (from necklaces brooches amp bracelets to ear rings and hair slides) using vintage ceramics I break vintage crockery hand sand it to ensure there are no sharp edges and make the shards into beautiful jewellery
When did your crafting begin and whyI began studying ceramics during my BA Hons degree in Fine Art at The University of Portsmouthwhich is where my obsession for vintage crockery began to grow Initially I began by making newplates and tea cups with vintage shards in but soon the beauty of the ceramic shards startedappealing to me which is when I had the idea of making jewellery out of them - and one day I justdid it and havenrsquot stopped since I just love how the cute patterns really stand out against the silverchain
What was the first item you made to sell online
What is your biggest crafting achievement and why
I think my biggest crafting achievement since starting Laura by The SeaJewellery has to be getting interviewed for the national ldquoMAKE Jewelleryrdquomagazine as their new ldquoIt accessoryrdquo designer I totally didnrsquot expect themto contact me via my Folksy store
Other than crafting what else do you like to do
In my spare time I like to paint I write I stronglybelieve it is the simple things in life that count I am a collectorof anything old with a story and pick up anything found on the seashore First morning sunshine trawling antique treasure troves walks on the sand with my pooch Sepia tones and seeing life through a lens makes me happy I do a photographyfashion blog(laurabytheseatumblrcom) and am a very sociable person These are a fewof my favourite things and yes that should include raindrops on roses andbrown paper packages tied up with string
Where would you like to be in 5 years
In 5 years time I would love to be able to do this on a full time basis tomake enough money to live I am aiming to have my jewellery sold in manyUK wide independent stores and hopefully a few abroad However theultimate dream is to have my jewellery featured in Vogue
The first item I sold online was on my Folksy shop(httpwwwfolksycomshopsLaurabyTheSea) and was a vintage ceramic andbead brooch the buyer was very pleased with it and gave me great feedback
Where does your inspiration come from
My inspiration comes from trawling antique and vintage shops photography (one of my current favphotographers is Elizabeth Sarah from America) and I am always inspired by other people When Iget talking with my friends about anything creative the juices start flowing and I get more designideas I am also inspired and work along with music (anything from RampB amp Hip-hop to Reggae andJazz I have an eclectic mix)
What are your favourite materials and why
Vintage ceramics because I adore the vintage floral prints on the crockeryand like the idea of being as eco-friendly as possible and like to only userecycled materials in my jewellery
What is favourite shop online that isnrsquot yours and why
My favourite online shop has to be Loglike a contemporary gift and home ware store with vintageelements The owner makes cute candlesticks from vintage plates and saucers that look amazing onmy coffee table (see httpwwwfolksycomshopsLoglike)
Has any person helped or supported you more than any other
I would have to say my parents and Brother Not just financially when Iwas a poor struggling student but they are supportive with everything Ido in life and I just couldnrsquot do without them My brother is more like abest friend
Tell us a random fact about yourself
I have 23 dresses in my wardrobe and have a vinyl collection of mostly 1980rsquos music (my guiltypleasure)
httpwwwfolksycomshopsLaurabyTheSea
Visit
Lauraat
in the GardenHi Irsquom Tina
Good to have you visit with me again in The GardenI think we will sit in the conservatory this morning the sun is juststreaming in it is so wonderful to feel the warmth after such a coldwinter I have the kettle on and some little iced biscuits butremember we must not over indulge me especially as I have notbeen working in the garden so much just sitting in doors munching
Well Spring is here at last and it does seem to be in a hurrythis year the crab apple is already in bud and also the fruittrees
I had my own little piece of garden and the plants therewere in my charge if I forgot to water them and theydied mother would say you have to be responsible givethem a little care and you will be rewarded with so muchbeauty and as I look around the garden today thebeauty just takes my breath awayI checked out the herbs after the winter and just look atthis monster itrsquos the parsley how great is this
Here is a photo of the willow catkins or lambs tails as mymother used to call them she was a country woman andknew every wild flower by their old country names sheloved all nature and her garden and was my inspirationfrom an early age
wwwtina-in-the-gardenblogspotcom
Also I think that this flower is really confused it is of coursean antirrhinum when I emptied the summer bedding fromthe tubs some were still fine so I planted them in thegarden and as you can see have been well rewarded Alsosome silver foliage plants which I cannot remember thename of and of course have lost thelabel they seem to think that it isalready summer
At the moment you can get into the bog it does not look half as mysterious as it does inthe summer you can even see the streamMy better half and I have one or two projects this summer well I have theideas and he makes them work howlucky am I So watch this space
Oh you have to leave well thank you again for coming be safe until your next visit withme in The Garden
Your green fingered friendTina
The bluebells are coming throughin the wood not long now beforethey flower they have to hurrybefore the trees get their leaves
Creative CraftingAdvertise with
wwwcreative-craftingcomadvertisehtml
A mouse herecould take customers
to your store
We care about yourcraft business
Prices startfrom
only pound2
There are a lot of different crafts to choose fromThis series of articles will discover some of the more unusual and also some
old world crafts that may have been almost forgotten
This article was created by
The Crystal Ladyhttpwwwmysticearthcouk
Sold by Amazon
Knitting with Dog Hairby Anne Montgomery
Contains easy step-by-step instructions for collecting cleaningstoring and spinning your dogs fur The book includes originalknitting patterns for the novice and the pro - from mittens toshawls to lace collars from your cats hair
How to Knit a Dog Hair Sweater
E-How
The brushed undercoat of a dog is called chiengora and can be used for knittingcrocheting or felting just like lambs wool or other yarn Dogs hair has been used forcenturies for weaving blankets and other coverings Dogs hair is much warmer thanwool Here is how to knit a sweater from dog hair
After the tutorial the writer goes on to leave a warning that dog hair is much warmerthan wool and an entire garment made of dog hair will be too hot to wear
I also found a very fascinating article about a lady called Laurie Moy on the Boulder DailyCamera website
Better a sweater from a dog you know and love than from a sheepyoull never meet
Warp and woof-woof Making clothes out of dog hair
Read more Boulder Daily Camera
This was discovered in an American newspaper by Creative Craftings Tinawe just had to tell you about it
I did some Googling about this and apparently there is quite alot about it I found a tutorial on the popular E-How site
Irsquom sure like me yoursquoll find this quite fascinatingIf any of our spinners out there fancy a go atcreating some yarn from their pooches we wouldlove to see some of the results It is also a greatidea for recycling all of that fluff that you areconstantly sweeping up off your sofa or yourcarpet There really is a use for most things afterall
Salt dough is so quick and easy (and therapeutic) to make endlessly adaptable a joy to sharewith the kids and has the advantage of being made from store-cupboard basics (although youcould make these projects in clay or fimo or even plasticine)The drawbacks are that it takes a while to cookpaintvarnish it will dissolve in wet or very dampconditions and will break if you drop it So allow yourself a couple of days to produce a finishedpiece and varnish thoroughly when decorated to protect against any damage
Making a Batch of Salt Dough
1 Mug of Table Salt2 Mugs of Plain FlourApprox 1 Mug of Tepid Water (Add final frac14 slowly)1 Tablespoon of Olive or Vegetable Oil (Optional)
Mix the flour and salt together in a bowlIf you are using oil (which helps to add elasticity but is optional and not necessary) add it to themug of water Add the water (with or without oil) to the salt and flour mixAdd most of the water stirring into the dry ingredients with a wooden spoon Add the last of thewater carefully as you will need more or less depending on humidity and the gradequality of theflourYou need to add enough to bind the ingredients without making it too sticky Empty onto a lightlyfloured surface and knead for at least ten minutes until the dough is smooth and slightly warm
A Few Tips for Modelling Salt DoughRoll out salt dough onto a lightly floured surface with a floured rolling pin or you could use abottle if you havent got a rolling pin Gently flattening salt dough with the heels of your hands willwork too but keep moving the dough to keep it even and turn it over to the fresh smooth sidejust before you begin cutting shapesKeep the thickness of your pieces under an inch much thicker than this and they wont hardenproperly in the middleUse a sharp knife to cut salt dough shapes but a blunt knife (or the back of a knife) is useful whenmarking lines onto the dough A scalpel or craft knife is best for cutting out intricate shapesUse pastry cutters plasticine moulds forks hair grips scrubbing brushes experiment withanything you have lying around the house
Cooking Salt DoughCook your salt dough pieces slowly in a very low oven The cooler and slower the better to preventdistortion in the cooking process These pieces were cooked at 140275 degrees or Gas Mark 1 forapproximately 2 hours but I often leave them all day in the oven at its lowest setting
Heartmade Gifts
Decorating Salt DoughYou can decorate your pieces before or after the cooking process Try adding food colouringherbs and spices tea or coffee to your dough as you knead it Or try painting your uncooked piecewith an egg wash for a lovely golden glowExperiment with various mediums on cooked pieces Gouache and acrylics work well but posterpaint is fine (if a little limited in colour variation) and you could try chalks felt tips or crayonsUse glue to add decorations including glitter sequins fabric bows tiny scraps of paper etcIts nice to leave the dough perfectly natural sometimes and sometimes a combination of naturaldough and painted areas works very wellVarnish thoroughly Any varnish will work I tend to use a spray varnish as a first coat to set thepaints then I add a few coats of a super store own brand wood varnish (If you need yourfinished piece to be especially waterproof try yacht varnish but be aware that it will tend tochange the colours making them yellowish)Use a small brush to get into all the nooks and crannies and allow each coat to dry thoroughlybefore applying the next one The more coats you apply the better protected your final pieceHowever unvarnished salt dough I have made for personal use (or the odd forgotten piece) hassurvived very well even in a slightly damp old house So dont let a lack of varnish deter you fromtrying salt dough But if you are creating a family heirloom four or five coats of a good varnish willensure it lasts for yearsTry these two Easter projects the ldquoEgg-stra Specialrdquo eggs are very quick and simple enough to dowith small children the primrose basket takes a while and is a little fiddly but well worth tryingand very easy to adapt by choosing your own flower or perhaps some other motif
~ Egg-stra Special Eggs ~
1 Form an egg shape from a small ball of dough by rolling in your hands and pressthis gently onto your baking tray(Its easier to build your salt dough pieces directly onto the tray you will use tocook them rather than try and move them while they are still uncooked I havebuilt my eggs onto the kitchen surface because it will be easier for you to see whatIm doing)
2 Roll out a piece of salt dough and use it to cover the bottom end of youregg like a blanket When you are happy with the position gently lift andrun a wet paintbrush between the two pieces to glue them together
3 Cut out an egg cup shape around your egg
4 Use a damp paintbrush to push the egg cup onto the eggand ensure it sticks
(A damp paintbrush also helps soften edges and blend any creases or cracks)
5 Uncurl an old metal paperclip and push into the dough to form a hangingloop You can use a piece of any wire I try and use paperclips or a piece of wire
coat-hanger as I like to recycle An alternative hanging method is to create a smallhole (or two holes for larger pieces) and thread a ribbon or piece of leather shoelacethrough the hole tying it to make a loop)
6 Cut out a small bow shape from a piece of flattened dough
7 Cut two ribbon ends from a rectangle of flattened dough
8 Use a wet paintbrush to layer the ribbon ends onto thetop of your egg
9 Attach the bow in position And add a small piece to the centre ofthe bow to finish
10 Cook
11 Decorate in whatever way takes your fancy hellip have fun
~ Primrose Basket ~
1 Cover a bowl in greaseproof paper and turn upside down onto your baking tray
2 Roll out some dough to approx 5mm thickness and cut into thin stripslong enough to cover your bowl
3 Lay four of these strips across the bottom ofyour bowl
4 Begin weaving four in the opposite direction by gently liftingalternate strips out of the way laying the cross strip and replacingthe lifted strips
5 Then add one strip to each side until you reach the edge of the bowl
6 Trim the edge with a knife or fold the stripsback to form a rough bowl lip You can indentsomething on the dough to secure anddecorate
7 Cook
8 Carefully remove the bowl and paper
9 Make primrose flowers and leaves and glue them to the rim with a wetpaintbrush replacing your bowl in the oven for a short whileLeaves ndash cut rough leaf shapes out of a piece of flatted dough and mark theveins and indent the edges with the back of a knifeFlowers ndash use a small heart cutter to cut 5 heart shapes and place on the rim with pointstogether indenting the centre with your fingertip and then marking with the end of a paintbrushPaint with whichever medium you prefer or have to hand I have used acrylics here leaving thebasket natural and painting the primrose leaves green and the flowers yellow adding someorange to the centres of the flowers while the yellow is still damp for a blurred effect
This article was written by Diannefrom Heartmade Gifts
Join Heartmade Gifts on Facebook
wwwheartmadegiftswordpresscom
Lilac Lace Heart LocketJewellery by Bina
Vintage Victorian StyledSweetheart Locket
Miss Bohemia
pound17
pound15
Emerald Bewitched
youmin
$40
The Bright Forest Locket
marisolspoon
$35
Cameral Locket
mydogandi
$2750
Creative CraftingFavourite
This article was created by
The Crystal Ladyhttpwwwmysticearthcouk
Lockets may sound very old fashioned but if you have a wander through thehandmade sites you will find a wealth of very modern and extremely beautifuldesigns Perfect for you to carry your loved ones with you wherever you go
Bee Joyful LocketThe Whimsical Wren
pound10
SteampunkWatch Mechanism
Locketedmdesigns
$85
Luscious LocketsLuscious Lockets
Who likes Chocolate CakeThis is a great recipe for Easter Mothers day or any other daylets admit it we all love chocolate
Ingredients
7 oz self raising flour8 oz caster sugar1 teaspoon of salt2 tablespoons of cocoa powder4 oz margarine2 eggs beaten with5 tablespoons evaporated milk5 tablespoons water1 teaspoon vanilla essence
1 Sift together flour sugar and salt and cocoa2 Rub in margarine3 Stir in eggs essence and liquids then beat well4 Grease and flour 2 8 inch cake tins divide the mixture between them5 Bake in a moderate over 325-350 F gas mark 3 about 35 minutes6 When cold sandwich together and cover in milk chocolate icing
Milk chocolate Icing
Ingredients
2 and a half oz margarine or butter4 tablespoons cocoa8 oz sieved icing sugar3 tablespoons hot milk1 teaspoon vanilla essence
Melt the margarine or butter and blend incocoa powder then stir in icing sugar milkand vanilla essence Beat until smooth andthick
We hope you all enjoy the recipe we would love to see anypictures of chocolate cakes that you make
Instructions
Instructions
Written and reviewed by Peggyrsquos Knitshttppeggyscollectionwebscom
By Sprinkles Sparkleshttpwwwsprinklessparklescouk
All prices are correct at the time of publication
Budget amp LuxurySpring special
Woodland DaffodilsCharm Bracelet
Coco Angel Rosepound1600
Spring Flower Hair ClipFlutter2me
pound450
Spring flowers broochDi Does Craft
pound800
Pink Spring Clutchfunky diva designs
pound1750
Cupcake BuntingCotton Cottage
pound1650
Purple TulipsWildrose Ridge
pound350
Chickadees and LilacsStained Glass WindowStained Glass Addie
pound4940
The Charlotte - SageRosalind Jamespound14500
Springtime 16 Crayon RollApple n Amos
pound509
Buttercup earrings in softyellow with peridot and brass
Goblins Marketpound401
Springtime DalaFolk Horse HangingDecoration - YellowCourt and Spark
pound400
D A P H N E - BrokenChina Plate Pendant
and Sterling Silver NecklaceDesigns by Mila
pound2228
To make the leaves
Using DK yarn and 300 mm hook make 5 leaves as follows
Rnd 1 9ch dc in 2nd ch 1htr in next ch 1tr in each of next 6ch 3ch ss in base of last tr worked
Now work on opposite side of stitches by turning the work
Rnd 2 3ch 1tr in each of next 6ch 1htr in next ch dc ss in top of first stFasten off and sew in loose ends
Materials
Small quantity of DK yarn I have used a yarn with awool-mix but any DK yarn of your choice will be suitableSmall quantity of kid mohair yarn (use two strands together)300 mm hook200 mm hookOne large buttonBrooch pinSewing needle
To make the small rose
Using a 200 mm hook and working two strands of kid mohair yarn together 13ch
Rnd 1 1tr 2ch 1tr in 4th ch (skip 2ch 1tr 2ch 1tr in next ch) 3 times (4 v- spaces)
Rnd 2 3ch 6tr into next v-space 1dc into space between v-spaces Continue with 6tr into eachv-space and 1dc in between spaces until end ss into last ch Fasten off
Roll the work with fingers from start to finish to create a small rose flower and sew together at thebase
Assembling the brooch
Turn the flower so the right side is facing up and sew the button in the centre of the flowerAttach the rose to the centre of the button as shown in diagram Sew a brooch pin to the back of theflower to complete the brooch
Arrange the 5 leaves to form a circle so thecorners of the leaves are touching Sew eachcorner together to form the petals of aflower
Turn the work so the wrong side is facing upand close the hole by sewing together withthe same DK yarn used to make the leaves
Crochet Flower Brooch
ch - chain stitchdc - double crochethtr - half treble crochetss - slip stitchtr - treble crochetst - stitch
Crochet Mobile PhoneiPod Cosy
Materials
50g Dk yarn in mustard colourSmall quantity of DK yarn in bright pink for picot edgingof cosy and small roseSmall quantity of DK yarn in sage green for leaves of roseflowerSize 300mm hook
Instructions for the cosy
The cosy can be made to fit a mobile phoneiPod of your choice
Pattern note the pattern is worked in dc throughout and worked in the round using the tapestrycrochet method of crochet This involves carrying a second yarn below the first making it verystrong
Foundation row
Using one strand of DK yarn in mustard make a chain that measures the width of your mobilephoneipod
Rnd 1 dc across row until the last chain 2dc in last chain Turn work
Rnd 2 Begin to carry a second strand of mustard yarn throughouteach round and every round from now on This yarn is not worked butcarried below the first strand of yarn
Work along the opposite side of the row just worked 1dc in first ch1ch in each chain until the last chain 2dc in last chain Now mark thelast stitch just worked with a different colour yarn so you can see theend of the round and keep moving this marker up to the last stitchworked
Rnd 3 Dc in each chain around working in spirals moving the stitchmarker as the piece grows Continue until the work measures thedesired length to fit the mobileiPod Fasten off and tie in loose ends
ch - chain stitchdc - double crochethtr - half treble crochetss - slip stitchtr - treble crochetst - stitch
Instructions for rose flower
Rnd 1 Using DK yarn in bright pink 1tr 2ch 1tr in 4th ch (skip 2ch1tr 2ch 1tr in next ch) 3 times (4 v- spaces)
Rnd 2 3ch 6tr into next v-space 1dc into space between v-spacesContinue with 6tr into each v-space and 1dc in between spaces untilend ss into last ch Fasten off
Roll the work with fingers from start to finish to create a small rose flower and sew together at thebase
Instructions for leaves
Using DK yarn and 300mm hook make 2 leaves as follows
Rnd 1 5ch dc in 2nd ch 1htr in next ch 1tr in each of next 2ch 3ch ss in base of last tr workedNow work on opposite side of stitches by turning the work
Rnd 2 3ch 1tr in each of next 2 ch 1htr in next ch dc ss in top of first st Fasten off and sew inloose ends
Assembly
Sew the leaves to the reverse of the rose and attach to the cosy as shown in the picture
Picot edging
Rnd 1 Using DK yarn in bright pink dc into each stitch around the edge of the cosy opening ss tofirst dc
Rnd 2 3ch ss into 2nd chain from hook ss into base of 3ch dc into next 2ch 3ch continuefrom to ss into last ch Fasten off and sew in loose ends
Written by Andrea Lesley Crochethttpwwwfolksycomshopsandrealesleycrochet
Materials
T - shirt - colour your choiceScissorsChainSewing needle and threadCorsage or embellishments
Step 1 First get a plain whitet-shirt
Step 2 Then cut off the neck Step 3 Now sew two pieces of chain to each side of where theneckline should be
Step 4 Cut a triangle out ofthe bottom of the t-shirt
Step 5 Tie the two ends thatare left into a knot or bow
Step 6 Finally add a corsageor flower to the front
Step 7 Now you have a bang on trend crop top simply wear over a vest top I loved designing andgokking up this t-shirt it took minutes and didnt cost a lot either
Corsage made by Madam SalamihttpwwwetsycomshopMadamSalami
Written By Heidi Jackson
Favourite finds from around the crafting communityThis months focus is Easter and Spring
Click on the images to take you to their store
Online StreetMISI
Ring With A FlowerBlue Fish Handmade
pound800
Spring necklace in glassand sterling silver
RosieJo Jewellerypound1275
Easter Eggs CardNaomi Constable
pound250
FOLKSY
Easter rabbit cushionwith choccie eggs
Phoebelinas Treasurespound500
Easter Knitted BagsFluerette
pound300
Small Gorgeous FeltSpring Bouquets
Spare Minute Productionspound2000
WOW THANK YOU
Green And Brown PetalFlower Bracelet
Sprinkles Sparklespound3750 inc pampp
Handmade Pink Canvas Wall Art(Set of 3)
Craft on Canvaspound3900 inc pampp
Blue Easter ChickDharmapaintings
pound12 20 inc pampp
All prices correct at the time of publication
Favourite finds from around the crafting communityThis months focus is Easter and Spring
Click on the images to take you to their store
Best PicksUGLY BE GONE
Handpainted DottyDolly Pegs
Ticketty Boopound650
Quirky Motifs ShopperRachael Taylor
pound1500
Collette the Cow BibBaby Boutique
pound1100
The Cutie Pie - recycledpaper butterfly shadow boxThe WingSpan Collection
pound6421
Easter 1 Square PendantHappy Easter Spring Flowers
Miss Gooseberry Pendantspound321
ETSY
RETROEasterplastic springfling daisy clip-on earringsamber brown makes art
pound208ARTFIRE
Easter Egg Mini Cards 2x2 6Peculiar Parchment
pound170
Spring Chicks - Little FusedGlass Dish - Easter Gift
First Light Glasspound926
4 Chocolate Easter ParadeBunny Lollipops extra large
Candy Cottagepound741
All prices correct at the time of publication
What you will need3 x 10 inch lengths of purple Cylon cord10mm silver plated lobster clasp and clasp tag2 x silver plated fold over necklace endsApprox 24 Rose Quartz gemstone chip beads(holes need to be large enough to thread onelength of the cylon cord though)2 x 4mm silver plated jump rings
Rose Quartz is the stone of unconditionalloveIt purifies and opens the heart helping thewearer to love themselves as well as others
Rose Quartz draws off negative energy andhelps release unexpressed emotions
Encourages self forgiveness and acceptanceaids self trust and self worth
I find it easier to use a macrame board for making this type of bracelet as it make it easier tokeep the design neat but its not essential I use a simple board made from a cork notice boardand pins I also use nylon nosed pliers to fold over the necklace ends as I find metal pliers oftenleave marks but again they arent essential
Step 2 Thread a chip bead onto each of the outer lengths ofcord
Step 3 Cross the outer cordsover the middle one as youwould in a braid Then braid thecords again
Step 1 Attach one of thenecklace ends to one end ofthe three lengths of CyloncordYou can then use the hole inthe end to attach the braceletto your board
Make a Rose Quartz Bracelet
Step 6 Attach the secondnecklace end to the three cordwithout cutting them as it makesit easier The ends can then betrimmed with a craft knife orsharp scissors
Step 7 Using the jump ringsattach the clasp to one end ofthe bracelet and the clasp tagto the other
Step 4 Thread two chip beadson to the new outer lengths ofcord and braid as in the previousstep
Step 5 Repeat step three and four untilthe bracelet reaches seven inchesor your desired length
(The clasp section will measureapproximately one inch)
If the cord ends become frayed they canbe fixed with a little super glue
Step 8 And there you areOne finished rose quartzbracelet
Would you like to share a craft project with Creative Crafting
Let us know what project you would like toshare with us
Anything from jewellery knitting and crochetcrafts paper crafts or a craft you feel hasbeen forgotten about
Email thecrystalladycreative-craftingcom
Written by Elderberry Artshttpwwwelderberryartscouk
To those who are not yet aware Prince William and Kate Middleton will tie the knot this month onFriday 29th April in a quiet little ceremony at Westminster Abbey To some this may mean getting aday off to celebrate the nuptials or actually attend the whole affair To others like myself who areself-employed there will be no day off and hence little difference from a normal day but we can stillbe happy for the two love birds entering a state of marital bliss for the first timeIn these uncertain economic times I am not sure how the Royal Wedding will affect the economyhow much money will people want to spend Will this mean street parties like those that dominatemany peoplersquos memories from Prince Charles and Dianarsquos wedding back in 1981 Will there be arush to purchase ridiculously crass lsquosouvenirrsquo mugs plates tea towels or will the market just not bethere at all with all the unsold Royal Wedding goods in the pound shops by JuneThe handmade and crafting sector needs to be aware of the sales potential created by this Royalevent and so products should be made available to support the celebrations and possibly make thecountry feel good about itself again Maybe a lovely warm spring day in April will be good for thecountry and make it forget its economic woes for a few hoursWe asked a number of our sellers about their experience of the last big Royal Wedding (Charles andDiana) and what they are going to do this time to celebrate There were mixed feelings ndash manywere too young to remember much about the 1981 event and even though I remember a day offfrom school I cannot remember any street parties or spontaneous Mardi Gras This time around Ithink money will be a big factor and most people will not stray too far from a bit of home baking inred white and blue and also a show of patriotic bunting Union Jacks are quite the lsquoin thingrsquo at themoment for interior design and so a patriotic statement may double as being hip and trendy
Kim Lampard of Zigzag Bunting thinks a great way tocelebrate the Royal Wedding is to make your own buntingShe suggests pulling together a pile of fabrics that you nolonger need but that hold cherished memories for you forexample your daughterrsquos first cute dress a tea-towel youbought on a special holiday an old bedspread made by your
Granny Even if the items are damaged so cannot be passed on to others there is always a littlecorner that can be cut up into a triangle to make a bunting flag Mix a few of these together and ifyou have enough for a colour scheme (such as red white and blue) fine but donrsquot worry the flagsdonrsquot even need to be the same size Sometimes a shabby chic lsquoMix and Matchrsquo approach turns outto be perfect Sew the fabric triangles onto a piece of ribbon or bias tape and you will have awonderful string of bunting to decorate for the special day You and your family will remember notonly the Royal Wedding when you bring out that bunting but have extra glimpses of their past inthe fabrics Definitely a memento to cherish
Gaye Weekes of A amp V Designs now lives in Snowdonia North Wales and onlyan hour away from Anglesey where the Royal couple will begin their marriedlife She has no doubt had that His Highness has been hovering over theirremote valley in his helicopter over recent months Gaye plans to be flying redwhite and green Welsh bunting for the wedding Her bunting is made fromvintage fabric from the 1950s and 1960s - a cotton heavy woven greenand cream floral and a jolly red and white gingham She adds ldquo
rdquo
This article was written by
from
httpwwwwowthankyoucouk
Karine Ait-Mohamed of The Pink Fairy Cake isFrench but now lives in England She says ldquo
rdquo In the spirit of the occasion Karinehas produced a product that combines both England and France into the celebration Shehas produced sets of two Union Jack hearts filled with lavender from Chateau la Gabelle inHaute-Provence
Lisa MacDonald of LisaMollyMacDonaldis quite enthusiastic about the weddingand getting caught up in the glamour of the
occasion ldquo
rdquo
Lou Carswell of Loubie Jewels has some prettyfantastic red white and blue jewellery which wouldbe suitable for a Royal wedding celebration She told
us ldquo
rdquo
So what can we gather from these observations It will be a nice idea to celebrate the RoyalWedding If we apply a little lsquowartimersquo austerity (handmade lends itself to recycling andupcycling) we shouldnrsquot have to spend a fortune We can step back from commercialism andbe involved in a low key but meaningful way that will make the event more memorable for itssimplicity and just a little thrift God Bless William and Kate
Tell us about yourself
My name is Sandra Ritchie I live in Cleethorpes UK with my husbandJason my 10 year old daughter Alisha my 2 year old son Alfred andour dog Dumbledore Primarily I am a housewife but in my sparetime I make jewellery of all kinds from beaded pieces to metal workbut mainly I make custom-made bespoke precious metal jewellery
When did your crafting begin and why
Many years ago I studied Jewellery and Metal Art at college andover time Ive collected the tools I needed but never got round tosetting up a workroom until 2009 when my Husband pointed outthat our Utility Room would be perfect for me to set up as aworkroom to start making jewellery again It seemed ideal Ialready had people interested in me making them some jewelleryand it meant I could stay at home and look after the children as wellas try to establish a name for myself as a Jewellery designermaker
What was the first item you made to sell online
The first item I made to sell whilst not specifically to sell online was asilver octopus necklace commissioned by an acquaintance of mine thathad seen the silver octopus necklace that I made for myself whilst atcollege and wanted one like it She has since purchased the silver andcopper entwined Dragon necklace and a commissioned silver Dragonand is back on my list for another piece to be made My number onefan I think
What is your biggest crafting achievement and why
I love all the pieces Ive created especially my Custom work but myfavourite piece of all is the Greenman necklace I was approached tomake something as a surprise for someone and was basically giventhe opportunity to produce something different to my usual pieces Ilove making pieces that are based on peoples ideas of what theywant that is really special but the Greenman necklace was mydesign based on what the customer wanted it to represent I had toteach myself etching for the piece as its something Id never learntand Im really pleased with how it worked out
Other than crafting what else do you like to do
I love spending time with my children and family I love baking andcooking too and I suppose I should admit to enjoying the oddrelaxing glass (or bottle) of nice wine when the children are in bed
wwwlittlefairycultcouk
Where would you like to be in 5 years
In 5 years time Id love to be in a better financial position so I canbuy silver and make silver jewellery to sell that isnt just Custom-made Ive started sneaking a few pieces of precious metal jewellerythat are for general sale onto my site
Where does your inspiration come from
My inspiration is usually from the customers themselves They tell mewhat it is they want and I design a piece to reflect that Sometimes theyalter the design slightly to reflect more of how they want it and that isfine For my bead jewellery its usually what beads I have in myworkroom that inspire my beaded pieces I very rarely buy beads for thereason that I have a design idea and usually just buy mixed lots of beadsand work with what I have
What are your favourite materials and why
I really love working with precious metals There is somethinguniquely satisfying about taking a flat sheet of metal and turning itinto a beautiful piece of jewellery Thats why I take pictures of thepieces as I am making them so that other people and the customerwhos item it is can enjoy seeing it progress from a blank piece ofprecious metal into the finished piece
What is favourite shop online that isnrsquot yours and why
Oh my There are so many amazing websites offering beautiful andunique handmade items but I will always take a look at Etsy to see ifthere is anything that catches my eye on there They have such a largevariety of designerssellers making almost everything but the kitchen sink(though I bet if you looked hard enough youd find one on there) Ireally enjoy the little treasuries they do too where you can browse aselection of items that are grouped together by themes
Has any person helped or supported you more than any other
I have had a lot of support from the good friends I have gained on Twitter and of coursemy real life friends have been extremely supportive too but the main reason I actuallysorted out my workroom (or corner of the utility room) was due to my husband insistingthat I start making jewellery again Luckily his insistence and support paid off virtuallystraight away when a friend asked for the octopus necklace I mentioned earlier to bemade
Tell us a random fact about yourself
I have known the sex of each child and whether Id be carrying one or more before I evenconceived them Fairly random but fact nevertheless
Kit includes seed beads 5 x handmade glass beads choker wire x 3 banglewire x 2 ring wire x 3 jewellery pliers beading mat instructions
Makes 8 fabulous and individual pieces of jewellery without the need forfiddly findings books or other money-wasters
Beaded Jewellery Kitpound12Japan Crafts
A coordinating selection of beads plus step-by-step full colour instructions to make your own version of the Jungle Collar design Learn how to work peyote stitch edge it with drops and embellish it with a lush fringe and beaded flowers and leaves Let your beading imagination run wild
Each kit is hand-picked and slightly different so the beads you receive may not be the exact onesshown in the photograph but you can be certain that your necklace will be uniqueThe kit comes carefully packaged in a handy reusable storage box the only things yoursquoll need inaddition are a beading needle a spool of nylon beading thread and some sharp scissors
Beadweaving Kit for Jungle Collar
pound38Lynn Davy
Fairy Earrings Jewellery Making Kit - Ages 7yrs+
pound5Jewellery Making Kits
These single kits are fabulous for all crafty and creative girls They also make great presents for school friends nieces sisters or even grown ups Each kit includes Sterling Silver earwires or studs a small selection of flowers for the skirt a pair of wings a few coloured glass pearls for the heads silver headpin Organza Bag Full set of instructionsSuitable for ages 7 years and up Requires a pair of pliers to finish off - all instructions included
Bracelet Kit - Chunky Swarovski Pearl and Crystal with Toggle Clasp
pound750Wonderstuff Craft Kits
A little kit of bronze Swarovski pearls and Golden Shadow Swarovski crystals silk and toggle clasp
Kit includes 11 x Swarovski 12mm Pearls Colour - Soft Bronze 3 x Swarovski Crystal 8mm Rondelles - Colour - Golden Shadow 8 x Swarovski Crystal 4mmBicones Colour - Light Colorado Topaz 1 x Silver Plated Toggle Bar 1 x Silver plated Toggle RingBracelet length of threading silk Instructions
This kit contains top quality beads to make an exquisite braceletno special tools are needed
Jewellery making kits
from the small crafterWersquove found a selection of wonderful beading kits for allages and experience These are not massed producedsets but offered by the small crafter
This article was created by The Crystal Lady httpwwwmysticearthcouk
This Months
This months lsquoMan of the Monthrsquo is Ade (Adrian)EdmondsonChosen by MegampMillie
This months lsquoLady of the Monthrsquo is GwenStefaniChosen by Claire Pearcy from Elderberry Arts
httpwwwgwenstefanicom
httpwwwunrealitytvcouklets-dance-for-comic-relieflets-dance-for-comic-relief-results-ade-edmondson-and-eighties-super-group-make-next-weeks-final
(Nothing like an April Fools)
This months lsquoBlog of the Month Awardrsquo goes to lsquoItrsquos All Fiddle Fartrsquo
httpitsallfiddlefartblogspotcom
This months lsquoShop of the Month Awardrsquo goes to lsquoJulias DriftwoodFurniturersquo
httpwwwfolksycomshopsseasandview123
ww
wc
reativ
e-cr
afting
co
mw
ww
cr
eative-c
on
nec
tion
snin
gc
om
CREATIVE CRAFTING
Our next issue will be available to read on
1st June 2010If you have missed any of our issues you
can find them to read on our websitewwwcreative-craftingcom
And also on our Social Network Creative Connectionswwwcreative-connectionsningcom
To advertise in Creative Crafting or to submit an article please contact Annaat thecrystalladycreative-craftingcom
AUGUSTSUMMER 2010
Issue 5
By Crafters for Crafters
Check out our
CraftersDirectory
CREATIVE CRAFTING
By Crafters for Crafters
Issue 3
ValentinesMothers Day 2010
HandcraftedWeddingSpecial
Valentine ampMothers Day
Projects
Have youbeen
featured
By Crafters for Crafters
Issue 3ValentinesMothers Day 2010
Handcrafted
Wedding
SpecialValentine amp
Mothers Day
ProjectsHave you
been
featured
By
EASTER 2010
Issue 4
FATHERS DAY 2010
Issue 4
By Crafters for Crafters
Ch
eck out our
Craft
ersDirectory
AUGUSTSUMMER 2
010
Issu
e 5
By Craf
ters fo
r Craf
ters
Chec
k out our
Crafters
Directory
CREATIVE
C
RAFTINGAU
TUM
N H
ALLO
WEE
N 201
0Is
sue
7
CREA
TIVE
CRAF
TIN
G
By Craf
ters f
or C
rafter
s
Chec
k
out our
Craft
ersDirect
ory
An
niv
ersa
ry
Issu
e
Donrsquot forget
All of our links andadverts are fullyclickable
If you would like to embed our magazine into your website blog myspace page etc you can
customise the code to suit your style and size
AUTUMN HALLOWEEN 2010
Issue 7CREATIVE CRAFTING
By Crafters for Crafters
Check out our
CraftersDirectory
Anniversary
Issue
CHRISTMAS 2010
Issue 8
By Crafters for Crafters
FATHERS DAY 2010
Issue 4
By Crafters for Crafters
Check out our
Crafters
Directory
EASTER 2010
Issue 4
By Crafters for Crafters
By Crafters for Crafters
VALENTINES 2011Issue 9
CREATIVE CRAFTING
wwwcreative-connectionsningcom
Interviews
Yoursquoll never look at brokenceramics the same wayagain
24 An Interview with Laura by the Sea
Sandra creates the moststunning metal jewelleryTake a look
46 An Interview with Little Fairy Cult
Sarah from Ragtag Rugshas a rug project for us
22 Rug Making
Dianne from HeartmadeGifts shares somewonderful Salt Dough Giftideas Perfect for Easterand Mothers Day
30 Easter Salt Dough
A long awaited crochetproject from the talentedAndrea Lesley Crochet
36 How to Crochet a flower brooch
Projects
Another wonderful projectand competition withGemma from BeadsUnlimited
12 Make your own striking Spring Necklace and Earrings
Claire from Elderberry Artsshows us how to make alovely fleece hat for thelittle ones
20 Make a childrenrsquos fleece hat
Another crochet projectfrom Andrea LesleyCrochet
37 How to Crochet a mobile phoneipod cosy
Heidi gives us a great ideafor old t-shirts
38 A Teenagers guide to lsquoGokrsquo up a t-shirt
Another stunning jewelleryidea with Elderberry Arts
42 Make a Rose Quartz Bracelet
29
44
20
46
24
34
If you would like to be featured in our directory please visit our website
Crafterrsquos DirectoryThe perfect place to find beautiful gifts
Handcrafted items are becoming a popular alternative tomass produced items
Lovingly created and often surprisingly inexpensiveBrowse through our directory and
click on the links to visit a world of beautiful craft shops
Off With Her HeadOff With Her Head
LamingtonsLemonade and
Custom made HealingJewellery
lsquoJust for yoursquo
PeggyrsquosCollection
Made with love and care
Ragtag Rugs
If you would like to be featured in our directory please visit our website
Crafterrsquos DirectoryThe perfect place to find beautiful gifts
Handcrafted items are becoming a popular alternative to mass produced itemsLovingly created and often surprisingly inexpensive
Click on the links to visit a world of beautiful craft shops
Averilpam Design Handcrafted one of a kind jewellery and bags Folksy
Designs By Isis Beautiful and unique handmade jewellery waiting for you to treatyourself Website
Elderberry Arts Hand crafted unique and uncommon silver gemstone glass gay andbisexual jewellery Website
Enigma Jewellery Unusual handmade jewellery amp gifts using Sterling Silver Hill TribeSilver Swarovski Crystals - most items are one off designs Folksy
Kokokelli Gorgeous Handmade Jewellery amp Greeting Cards at affordable prices Folksy
LauraFaye Crafts Eclectic gorgeous bright and contemporary - beaded jewellery andgifts resin jewellery polymer clay pieces cards and artwork Website
Madam CC Something old Something new Folksy
Mystic Earth Gemstone Healing Jewellery personal matching service available Website
Pretty Beautiful Designs byMaria
Unique handmade jewellery necklaces bracelets and earrings perfectfor every occasion from everyday to a big night out Website
RastafairyMalaika Beautifully crafted macrame jewellery with semi-precious stonesComissions taken Etsy
Rosie-Jo High quality handmade beaded jewellery featuring sterling silver semiprecious stones glass wood felt porcelain and tensha beads Misi
Snow Queen Trinkets Kiln Fused Dichroic Glass Jewellery Folksy
Sprinkles Sparkles Bespoke Handmade Jewellery and Accessories Website
The Jewellery Angel Cute Colourful and Kitsch Jewellery Folksy
The Vintage Jewellery Box Hand-designed vintage-inspired jewellery with a modern twist offering afresh alternative to girls who like to wear something a bit different Website
Neate Crafts Painting Knitting Pyrography amp lots more Misi
Painted Ghost Handmade accessories for baby and child home of the Bibbla Website
Crafterrsquos DirectoryThe perfect place to find beautiful gifts
Handcrafted items are becoming a popular alternative to mass produced itemsLovingly created and often surprisingly inexpensive
Click on the links to visit a world of beautiful craft shops
SudrsquonrsquoSoothe Juice Bar just got a new meaning Website
Radiance Crystals Bespoke Bridal and Occasion Jewellery Website
All things Nice The home of unique affordable arts and crafts Folksy
Diomo Glass A range of Stained Glass Gifts by a Stained Glass Artist I recycle glass tocreate gifts and other novel little items of interest fun and meaning Folksy
FloralGifts4U Beautiful floral gifts for all occasions Sock posies are our speciality Website
Lemonade and Lamingtons Homewares amp accessories fresh amp exciting Folksy
Ragtag Rugs Handmade rugs from recycled textiles Folksy
Court amp Spark Handmade Textiles by Phillippa Harding An original range ofDecorations Soft Furnishing Cards amp Gifts with a VintageRetro Twist Website
Dab and a Dash Unique handmade JournalsNotebooks Fabric covers and stitchedbinding Folksy
Kelso Kreations Handmade Gifts for that special occasion Folksy
Little ScruffsMiniature Mohair Artist Bears with loads of character Vintage style collectable Website
Moody Cow Designs Unique handmade handbags and accessories Folksy
pipdesigns Ipad Covers Purses Handbags - Designer amp Funky Fabrics Folksy
Wraggamuffins Handmade chocolate truffles a perfect Valentines gift to show someonehow much you love them Website
If you would like to be featured in our directory please visit our website
Ann Chandler Originals Unique bags and accessories in unusual fabrics including vintagekimono silks funky cotton prints and upcycled clothing Folksy
Off With Her Head Vintage Inspired Millinery hats and fascinators based on originalvintage designs illustrations and photographs and custom designs Website
Crafterrsquos DirectoryThe perfect place to find beautiful gifts
Handcrafted items are becoming a popular alternative to mass produced itemsLovingly created and often surprisingly inexpensive
Click on the links to visit a world of beautiful craft shops
Beads4Breakfast Artisan lampwork beads made in my kitchen studio Commissions taken Website
The Little Bead Box Beautiful Beads and Jewellery Supplies Folksy
UK Craft Store Novelty buttons and more Website
Abstract Cat Crafts Colourful high quality hand-dyed and hand-painted knitting yarn Website
Andrea Lesley Crochet Beautiful handmade crochet gifts Folksy
Joyknitt Joyknitt Knits Misi
NOfkants Curios Hand Knitted and Crocheted Unique Handbags Folksy
Peggyrsquos Knits Quality knitted items Website
Wharfedale Woolworks Hand painted yarns and custom knits Folksy
Creative CraftingAdvertise with
wwwcreative-craftingcomadvertisehtml
A mouse here could take customersto your store
We care about yourcraft business
Prices startfrom only pound2
The Broken Doll Unique greeting cards and gifts from The Doll for that something a littlebit different Folksy
Di saw it first craftreviews
Thank you to everyone that has sent in items for the review Such gorgeous handmade giftsThere really are many very talented people out there
All of these items are going to be able to be won by one of our lucky readers Could it be you
Delightful canvas personalised bag and hair accessoriesSo well made and presented gorgeously These would makesuch a good gift for any little girl Beautiful detail and somany choices of what to buy The details on them areexceptionalwwwjaydesignshairclipscouk
Gorgeous hand made beaded bracelet with little pink bowsso well made and would compliment any outfit
Has so many gorgeous pieces in her shop something foreveryone Comes in a gorgeous little organza bag packagedbeautifullywwwmychicuniqueetsycom
Handmade gorgeous card called Moonlit Bay This card isso stunning the details that have gone into it really show
A very professional finish and hand signed by the artistMimi who is based in Cornwall Mini makes some gorgeousitems and it is so nice to have her Cornwall influencesinspiring her artworkwwwartbymimicouk
This is a stunning necklace made with lampwork beads and Swarovskicrystalspearls and glass bicones with glass seed beads The coloursare amazing and really stand out
Packaged in a beautiful aqua organza bag to compliment thenecklace This would be a great gift for anyone and I am sure youwould get so many compliments from wearing thiswwwscottishprincesscouk
Di saw it first craftreviews
Recycled fabric notebookjournal has 3 pages and is A5 size with2 decorative pagesThe front page also has a pretty nameplate with 3D flowers on it
Made very well and would be an absolutely wonderful gift for any one to receive regardless of their age Although it is unsuitable for very young children due to the decorative disc on the front cover My nieces both loved this notebook and I am sure it would be a great gift for little girls and a very special keepsake book
wwwfolksycomshopsdabdash
Nursing necklace from a company called Booby and The BeadsAbsolutely stunning colours and made very well Pinks and reds reallycompliment each other Packaged in a beautiful pink organza bag
A great idea for a present for any ladyhttpwwwfacebookcompagesBooby-The-Beads-Nursing-Necklaces-Reminder-Bracelets -more157477778613
Lovely handmade bookmark made with material andcharms So different and would make an excellentgift Never seen a bookmark with so much detail onBefore
Gorgeous handmade charm packaged and has so muchdetail on it This would be perfect on your bag or keys and Iam sure everyone would ask where you bought it from Bothpackaged beautifullywwwd-k-designscouk
You could win all these goodies by entering our giveaway
Just enter you name and email address to be in fora chance of winning all these handmade gifts
wwwcreative-craftingcomgiveawayhtml
Closing date for entries is 31st May 2011
Written and reviewed by Peggyrsquos Knitshttppeggyscollectionwebscom
Make this simple striking necklace using beadedheadpins and chain to add a bold statement
to your favourite outfit
MaterialsI used Beads Unlimited products in the following quantities tocomplete the jewellery set -
100g x high quality glass mix pink tones (GLXH22)1 x 40 mm silver foil flat round lime green (GLCN4028)50 cm x heavy chain ( sold per meter) silver plated (CHHSP)2 x (1 pack of 10) 8 mm jump ring silver plated (JR8SP)1 x pack of 100 headpins silver plated (HPSP)2 x (1 pack of 6) long ballwires silver plated (LBWSP)1 x (1 pack of 12) eyepins silver plated (EPSP)1 x trigger clasp silver plated (TRGSP)You will also need a pair of multi pliers (CRMT)
Step 1 Thread thelime green beads ontoan eyepinWith the round nosedpart of the pliers bendthe eyepin into a loopdonrsquot close it yet
Step 2 Measure andCut 28 cm and 12 cmof chainAttach one length toeach eye on the beadedeyepin and close theloop
Step 3 Thread a beadof your choice from thepink mix onto a headpinTrim the headpin 1 cmabove the beadsAttach to the chain linknext to the lime greenbeads Close the loop
Gemma is inspired by everything around her from colourand form to the materials she uses and by using manytraditional techniques with contemporary ideas she createsjewellery with her individual style
Make your ownStriking Necklace and Earrings
Step 4 Continue to addbeads from the pink mixin the way to create atapered look on each sideThe shorter length of chainshould be beaded along 5 cmand the longer length 14 cm
Step 5 Attach and 8 mmjump ring to one and of thenecklace ends and a jumpring with a trigger clasp tothe other
Finished necklace
To make the earringsCut a 5 cm length of chain Attach a long ballwire to one end and bead inthe same way as the necklace Make sure you attach a bead to the endlineRepeat to make a pair
Designed by Gemma fromwwwbeadsunlimitedcouk
This necklace and earring set could be yoursVisit wwwcreative-craftingcomgiveawayto enter
Competition end date is -31st May 2011
Beautiful Jewellery to helpyou through life
wwwmysticearthcouk
These pieces of unique jewellery makethe perfect gift for a loved one or a much
needed treat for yourself
MYSTIC EARTH
Have you ever thought ofhaving a piece of
Gemstone and CrystalHealing Jewellery Created
lsquojust for yoursquoEach stone matched to your needs
The Crystal Lady at Mystic Earthcan offer you this service
Quality KnittedItems
httpwwwpeggyscollectionwebscom
PeggyrsquosCollection
Made with love and care
Mother Nature has provided us withwonderful Healing Gemstones and Minerals
PeridotFor this Issue discover the beauty of
(MgFe)2(SiO4)+AlCaMnNiCoCrTi
If you would likemore information about
Crystal Healing Jewelleryyou can contact
The Crystal Lady atthecrystalladymysticearthcouk
httpwwwmysticearthcoukor visit
In the Middle Ages Peridot was employed for warding off evil spiritsand to bestow wisdom and friendship
Mentally -Dissolves oppressive feelings that arise from self-blameAllows us to forgive ourselves
Physically - Peridot has a strong detoxifying effect and stimulates the liverEnhances the liver and gallbladder helps with skin problems even warts
Chakra - Heart Solar Plexus
Peridot Mini Hair Comb
pound14
Lime Crush
pound35Victorian Sterling Silver
Peridot Ring
$38
Chocolate Pearl and PeridotNecklace
$78Jasper Peridot Rhyolite
and Pearl Necklace
pound45
Peridot Chip Bracelet
pound7
As a woman in the UK today if you attend a wedding or the races andparticularly if you are lucky enough to go to Ladies Day at Royal Ascotthen it is usually expected that you should wear a hat or nowadaysa fascinator
If you want to get ahead get a hat
People have always worn hats in someform whether as a protective head covering oras a mark of status within society hats have alwayshad their place In the 15th century it was expectedthat women keep their hair covered wearing veilsand wimples and refashioned male hats were alsopopular
But it was not until the 17th century that womenrsquosheadwear began to take the familiar shape that it does today Bonnetsbecame increasingly popular and at times could be extremely elaboratetrimmed with ribbons lace and feathers
The term lsquomillinerrsquo meaning a maker of womenrsquos hats refers to products derived from Milan andNorthern Italy such as the straws and ribbons used in the making of hats
The haberdashers who imported of these products were known as lsquoMillanersrsquo from which we getthis term The first use of the term in the UK was in the 1700rsquos
Hats were extremely popular at the turn of the 20th century not only forspecial occasions Victorian hats were large brimmed and ornatelydecorated with flowers feathers ribbons and beads The austerity of theSecond World War led to their eventual decline as an everyday pieceof a womanrsquos wardrobe
Nowadays hats and the ever popular fascinator are seeing a resurgencenot in the least thanks to the influences of women such as Sarah JessicaParker Paloma Faith and of course Kate Middleton
Choosing a hat or fascinator needs careful consideration Height faceshape and personality all play a part in shaping your decision A boldfascinator is a statement piece and is certainly not for the shy
Everyone can wear some type of hat or fascinator its just a matter of finding the right one to suityou
There are some amazing British professional milliners working today not least including thelikes of Stephen Jones and Phillip Treacy but you will also find in the UK some wonderful millinersselling their designs on Etsy each producing unique designs to put the perfect finish to any outfitwhatever the occasion
Off With Her Head is run by self taught designer and milliner Lisa Poolewhose designs are fuelled by a love of vintage fashion and moviecostumes
Based in Fife Scotland she prides herself on creating each piece by handand loves to create bespoke pieces for her customers
Off With Her Head focuses on creating vintage inspired pieces andalthough Lisa creates hats and fascinators from various eras in historyshe admits to being a little biased towards the 1950rsquos as its her favouritedecade for fashion
Whatever direction Off With Her Head takes the ethos behind the businessremains the same - quality hats and fascinators at a reasonable price
Off With Her Head ndash Vintage Inspired Millinery
Etsy Store httpwwwetsycomshopmadamequeenyWebsite wwwoffwithherheadcouk
Annalisa Maria Millinery
Annalisa of Annalisa Maria Millinery has always adored hats andbeing the type of person who loves to make things she quitenaturally became interested in millinery
Trained at Kensington and Chelsea college famous for itsmillinery alumni where she learnt all the basics of the trade
She now works out of her London home producing beautifulone of a kind hats and head pieces
Etsy Store wwwetsycomshopdesignsbyannalisa
With so much choice there is absolutely no excuse not to finish your outfit with stunning hatfascinator or headpiecehellip and as they say
Written By Lisa PooleFrom Off With Her Headwwwoffwithherheadcouk
Ella Gajewska is a professional milliner working in London Hats are thelove of her life She has been working as a milliner since 1996 thoughher passion for hats started much earlier in her childhood when Ellacreated hats for her dolls to give them a bit more of an extravagantlook
Having achieved success in Poland where she was a milliners ateliermanager and an inspiring teacher for other young milliners she decidedto take her chances in London the world capital of hats
Since 2001 Ella Gajewska has had the chance of working for renownedateliers and milliners Working in England alongside the best designersof various head wear she has had the chance to develop and perfecther skills even more
Ella Gajewska
Etsy Store wwwetsycomshopEllaGajewskaWebsite wwwellagajewskacom
Little Miss B Design
Little Miss B started out making hats and accessories for herselfand friends uninspired by what was available on the high streetShe decided that shersquod like to give a wider audience the chanceto own a unique Little Miss B creation so began her foray intofashion and millinery
Her inspirations comes from days gone by when style andglamour were more apparent and the quality of craftsmanshipwas high From the 1920s to the 1960s vintage to rockabillyLittle Miss B brings it to the present day with a modern twist
Etsy Store httpwwwetsycomshopLittleMissBDesign
Ive always been artistic in one form or another As a child I always paintedand drew a lot At school I did everything from make a wooden fish pencilholder perspex badges pottery and childrens toys I was very into pencildrawings and shading but I loved using watercolour and other textures formy more cartoonManga style art
I was never very good at what back then was deemed the Girlie stuff I wasmore into woodwork and moulding and graphics This is probably what mademe choose my Bachelor of Science Degree in Architectural Technology Formy degree we used a lot of CAD (Computer Aided Design) to design buildings and building materialsWe also had to craft models of some of our own designs with foam board and other materials I wasin my element with this part of the curriculum
The great thing about craftdesignmaking things - whatever you want to call it is that there is a freedom in Art that you do not get anywhere else There is no right and wrong and no rules The rules come later At the point of concept it is just you and your imagination Which is very liberating and also quite scary because we are conditioned to think within the constraints of rules Art has no rules
Dianes Celebrity ChatsOur lovely Di from Peggyrsquos Knits chats to another celebrity about crafting
Tanya has worked on a number of shows the most recent being the character Adele Alfrey in ITVrsquos Emmerdale She has also worked on other familiar shows with awardwinning producers directors and writers She starred in the BBCcomedy Kerching Her first professional role was in Holby CityShe is also an accomplished presenter and budding playwrightTanya is a former student of the National Youth TheatreTanya told me how she has been artistic about how she sees artand her views on crafting
Please all take a look at Tanyarsquos website which ishttpwwwtanyavitalcom
What you will needFleece material - To determine the size needed- measure the circumference of your head(around your ears) and add 12 inch for seamallowance This will be the width and the lengthmeasurement is 20 inchesCotton thread in the same or contrasting colour
Average Head Sizes -
Newborn (6 months and younger)Circumference 14 to 17 inchesCrown 8 to 10 inches
Infant (6 to 12 months)Circumference 16 to 19 inchesCrown 11 to 12 inches
Child (12 months to 3 years)Circumference 18 to 20 inchesCrown 11 to 12 inches
Step 1 Lay out your fleece on a flat surface anddraw out a rectangle using the measurements forthe hat size required This should be 20 inches longand the width will be the circumference measurementof the size hat your making plus 12 inch seamallowance So to make a hat for a child with a headcircumference of 15 inches the width should be15 12 inches
Claire from Elderberry Arts shows us how to make achildrens hat from fleece material
Why not experiment this Easter holiday
Below are easy to follow instructions and a sizing guide
Thin length of fleece approx 12 inches by12 inchRuler or tape measureTailors chalk or penScissorsPinsSewing needles or sewing machine
Elderberrry Arts
Step 4 Place the right sides of the fleecetogether and pin along the length of thematerial Sew along this edge either by handor machine Knot ends and sewing inside thehem You can trim this hem to make it even andneater if needed
Step 5 Turn the hat right side out andarrange it so the seam is in the middleback From the bottom of your hatmeasure the crown length and place thefleece strip under the hat at this point
Step 6 Tie the ends of thestrip together and pull tightto gather hat
Step 7 Now cut the topsection of the hat into stripsapproximately 12 inch wide
Once youve cut all the wayround the strips can be trimmedto shorten them if required
You could also thread plastic ponybeads on some or all of the stripsknotting the bottom to secure them
Step 2 Cut out the rectangleof fleece Then cut a strip 12inches by 12 inch of fleecefrom the leftover material
Step 3 Pin a hem approx12 inch wide across theshorter length of fleece
Sew either by hand or machineKnot ends and sewing insidethe hem
Written by Elderberry Artshttpwwwelderberryartscouk
Rug Making Ragtag RugsWith
Looking for something fabulous to make using all your old T-shirts sweat shirts and other disusedgarments If so this could be the project for you
The craft of making rag rugs is very traditional and dates backto the mid eighteen hundreds itrsquos still very relevant today whatwith the importance of recycling the other great thing aboutit is that the design on the rug can pretty much be whateveryou want it to be - an image of your pet or your house anabstract or geometric design or something floral traditionalhellip itrsquos totally up to you and your imagination
The technique Irsquoll be using for this project is a method calledlsquohookingrsquo which is very simple and produces a soft and hardwearing pile Irsquove tried to keep everything simple and equipment to a minimum so that everyone canhave a go My favourite fabrics to use are the afore mentioned T-shirts and sweat shirts as they frayvery little but most textiles of a medium thickness can be used
MaterialsVirtually any material can be used in a rag rug some materials are easier to work with than othersThe best materials to use for hooking include T-shirts sweat shirts lightweight cottonssynthetics amplightweight woolsynthetic jumpers Fabrics such as heavy weight denim are not suitableFor this project Irsquove used plain fabrics but patterned fabrics can also be used
HookingStep 1 Working with the Hessian design side up poke the hook through the Hessian and grab thestrip of fabric underneath with the hook
Step 2 Pull the end of the strip of fabric up through the Hessian so that you leave a tail of at least1 cm sticking up
Step 3 Move the hook along about half a centimeter poke it back down through the Hessian andpull a loop of fabric up through to the top of the Hessian a loop height of about 1 cm is best thenjust repeat this technique filling in the required area when you reach the end of a fabric strip pullthe end up through the Hessian and trim it so itrsquos the same height as the loopsMake sure your loops are dense enough and you canrsquot see any of the Hessian backing There is noneed to physically fix the loops in place as they will stay put automatically due to the thickness ofThe fabric and the denseness of the loops
What you will needA piece of Hessian measuring 90 cm x 110 cmSelection of fabrics cut into strips measuring1 - 2 cm wide depending on the thickness ofthe fabric and avoid any seamsRug hookDressmakers pinsScissors
Large-eyed needleBall of woolMarker penYard stick metre ruler2 sheets of thin A4 card or a flattened cereal packetCompassPencil
Ragtag Rugs Rug Making Ragtag RugsWith
Step 1 Using the compass and pencildraw two circles measuring 185 cmacross on the sheets of card and cut theseout using the scissors
Step 2 Using the marker pen and metre rule draw a rectangle on the piece of Hessian measuring63 cm x 84 cm leaving a boarder of about 12 cm all the way around the rectangle Divide therectangle into four giving you central lines for the width and length of the rug Place the card spotson the Hessian in the appropriate places and draw around them using the marker pen for the halfand quarter spots fold one of the card templates accordingly and then draw around it Draw in yourdesigns within the spots
Step 3 Fold under the raw edges of the Hessian and stitch with arunning stitch using the large-eyed needle and wool this is to preventthe Hessian fraying selvedge edges can be left as they are
Step 4 Hook in the strips of fabrics filling in the spots first and then thebackground You can either use the design shown here or make up yourown spots and colour scheme
Step 5 When completed lay the rug face down on the floor and turn in a hem of about 6 cms tothe back of the rug and pin it all the way around fold and pin the corners as neatly as possibleSew the hem to the back of the rug with a running stitch using the large-eyed needle and woolVoila You have a rug
wwwfolksycomshopsragtagrugs
Written by Ragtag Rugs
SupplierFor an American Style Rug Hook costing about pound750 and also Hessian go to Fred Aldous CraftSupplies wwwfredaldouscouk
NoteSome people prefer to use a rug making frame which helps to keep the rugsquare but as the rug wersquore making here is fairly small and wersquore keepingthings simple Irsquove dispensed with this
The first item I sold online was on my Folksy shop(httpwwwfolksycomshopsLaurabyTheSea) and was a vintage ceramic andbead brooch the buyer was very pleased with it and gave me great feedback
Tell us about yourselfMy name is Laura and I live by the sea in the East of England Pakefield to be precise I live with my wonderful Brother who is a musician so we have a very creative household and in our bright conservatory I make ldquoLaura by The Seardquo jewellery (from necklaces brooches amp bracelets to ear rings and hair slides) using vintage ceramics I break vintage crockery hand sand it to ensure there are no sharp edges and make the shards into beautiful jewellery
When did your crafting begin and whyI began studying ceramics during my BA Hons degree in Fine Art at The University of Portsmouthwhich is where my obsession for vintage crockery began to grow Initially I began by making newplates and tea cups with vintage shards in but soon the beauty of the ceramic shards startedappealing to me which is when I had the idea of making jewellery out of them - and one day I justdid it and havenrsquot stopped since I just love how the cute patterns really stand out against the silverchain
What was the first item you made to sell online
What is your biggest crafting achievement and why
I think my biggest crafting achievement since starting Laura by The SeaJewellery has to be getting interviewed for the national ldquoMAKE Jewelleryrdquomagazine as their new ldquoIt accessoryrdquo designer I totally didnrsquot expect themto contact me via my Folksy store
Other than crafting what else do you like to do
In my spare time I like to paint I write I stronglybelieve it is the simple things in life that count I am a collectorof anything old with a story and pick up anything found on the seashore First morning sunshine trawling antique treasure troves walks on the sand with my pooch Sepia tones and seeing life through a lens makes me happy I do a photographyfashion blog(laurabytheseatumblrcom) and am a very sociable person These are a fewof my favourite things and yes that should include raindrops on roses andbrown paper packages tied up with string
Where would you like to be in 5 years
In 5 years time I would love to be able to do this on a full time basis tomake enough money to live I am aiming to have my jewellery sold in manyUK wide independent stores and hopefully a few abroad However theultimate dream is to have my jewellery featured in Vogue
The first item I sold online was on my Folksy shop(httpwwwfolksycomshopsLaurabyTheSea) and was a vintage ceramic andbead brooch the buyer was very pleased with it and gave me great feedback
Where does your inspiration come from
My inspiration comes from trawling antique and vintage shops photography (one of my current favphotographers is Elizabeth Sarah from America) and I am always inspired by other people When Iget talking with my friends about anything creative the juices start flowing and I get more designideas I am also inspired and work along with music (anything from RampB amp Hip-hop to Reggae andJazz I have an eclectic mix)
What are your favourite materials and why
Vintage ceramics because I adore the vintage floral prints on the crockeryand like the idea of being as eco-friendly as possible and like to only userecycled materials in my jewellery
What is favourite shop online that isnrsquot yours and why
My favourite online shop has to be Loglike a contemporary gift and home ware store with vintageelements The owner makes cute candlesticks from vintage plates and saucers that look amazing onmy coffee table (see httpwwwfolksycomshopsLoglike)
Has any person helped or supported you more than any other
I would have to say my parents and Brother Not just financially when Iwas a poor struggling student but they are supportive with everything Ido in life and I just couldnrsquot do without them My brother is more like abest friend
Tell us a random fact about yourself
I have 23 dresses in my wardrobe and have a vinyl collection of mostly 1980rsquos music (my guiltypleasure)
httpwwwfolksycomshopsLaurabyTheSea
Visit
Lauraat
in the GardenHi Irsquom Tina
Good to have you visit with me again in The GardenI think we will sit in the conservatory this morning the sun is juststreaming in it is so wonderful to feel the warmth after such a coldwinter I have the kettle on and some little iced biscuits butremember we must not over indulge me especially as I have notbeen working in the garden so much just sitting in doors munching
Well Spring is here at last and it does seem to be in a hurrythis year the crab apple is already in bud and also the fruittrees
I had my own little piece of garden and the plants therewere in my charge if I forgot to water them and theydied mother would say you have to be responsible givethem a little care and you will be rewarded with so muchbeauty and as I look around the garden today thebeauty just takes my breath awayI checked out the herbs after the winter and just look atthis monster itrsquos the parsley how great is this
Here is a photo of the willow catkins or lambs tails as mymother used to call them she was a country woman andknew every wild flower by their old country names sheloved all nature and her garden and was my inspirationfrom an early age
wwwtina-in-the-gardenblogspotcom
Also I think that this flower is really confused it is of coursean antirrhinum when I emptied the summer bedding fromthe tubs some were still fine so I planted them in thegarden and as you can see have been well rewarded Alsosome silver foliage plants which I cannot remember thename of and of course have lost thelabel they seem to think that it isalready summer
At the moment you can get into the bog it does not look half as mysterious as it does inthe summer you can even see the streamMy better half and I have one or two projects this summer well I have theideas and he makes them work howlucky am I So watch this space
Oh you have to leave well thank you again for coming be safe until your next visit withme in The Garden
Your green fingered friendTina
The bluebells are coming throughin the wood not long now beforethey flower they have to hurrybefore the trees get their leaves
Creative CraftingAdvertise with
wwwcreative-craftingcomadvertisehtml
A mouse herecould take customers
to your store
We care about yourcraft business
Prices startfrom
only pound2
There are a lot of different crafts to choose fromThis series of articles will discover some of the more unusual and also some
old world crafts that may have been almost forgotten
This article was created by
The Crystal Ladyhttpwwwmysticearthcouk
Sold by Amazon
Knitting with Dog Hairby Anne Montgomery
Contains easy step-by-step instructions for collecting cleaningstoring and spinning your dogs fur The book includes originalknitting patterns for the novice and the pro - from mittens toshawls to lace collars from your cats hair
How to Knit a Dog Hair Sweater
E-How
The brushed undercoat of a dog is called chiengora and can be used for knittingcrocheting or felting just like lambs wool or other yarn Dogs hair has been used forcenturies for weaving blankets and other coverings Dogs hair is much warmer thanwool Here is how to knit a sweater from dog hair
After the tutorial the writer goes on to leave a warning that dog hair is much warmerthan wool and an entire garment made of dog hair will be too hot to wear
I also found a very fascinating article about a lady called Laurie Moy on the Boulder DailyCamera website
Better a sweater from a dog you know and love than from a sheepyoull never meet
Warp and woof-woof Making clothes out of dog hair
Read more Boulder Daily Camera
This was discovered in an American newspaper by Creative Craftings Tinawe just had to tell you about it
I did some Googling about this and apparently there is quite alot about it I found a tutorial on the popular E-How site
Irsquom sure like me yoursquoll find this quite fascinatingIf any of our spinners out there fancy a go atcreating some yarn from their pooches we wouldlove to see some of the results It is also a greatidea for recycling all of that fluff that you areconstantly sweeping up off your sofa or yourcarpet There really is a use for most things afterall
Salt dough is so quick and easy (and therapeutic) to make endlessly adaptable a joy to sharewith the kids and has the advantage of being made from store-cupboard basics (although youcould make these projects in clay or fimo or even plasticine)The drawbacks are that it takes a while to cookpaintvarnish it will dissolve in wet or very dampconditions and will break if you drop it So allow yourself a couple of days to produce a finishedpiece and varnish thoroughly when decorated to protect against any damage
Making a Batch of Salt Dough
1 Mug of Table Salt2 Mugs of Plain FlourApprox 1 Mug of Tepid Water (Add final frac14 slowly)1 Tablespoon of Olive or Vegetable Oil (Optional)
Mix the flour and salt together in a bowlIf you are using oil (which helps to add elasticity but is optional and not necessary) add it to themug of water Add the water (with or without oil) to the salt and flour mixAdd most of the water stirring into the dry ingredients with a wooden spoon Add the last of thewater carefully as you will need more or less depending on humidity and the gradequality of theflourYou need to add enough to bind the ingredients without making it too sticky Empty onto a lightlyfloured surface and knead for at least ten minutes until the dough is smooth and slightly warm
A Few Tips for Modelling Salt DoughRoll out salt dough onto a lightly floured surface with a floured rolling pin or you could use abottle if you havent got a rolling pin Gently flattening salt dough with the heels of your hands willwork too but keep moving the dough to keep it even and turn it over to the fresh smooth sidejust before you begin cutting shapesKeep the thickness of your pieces under an inch much thicker than this and they wont hardenproperly in the middleUse a sharp knife to cut salt dough shapes but a blunt knife (or the back of a knife) is useful whenmarking lines onto the dough A scalpel or craft knife is best for cutting out intricate shapesUse pastry cutters plasticine moulds forks hair grips scrubbing brushes experiment withanything you have lying around the house
Cooking Salt DoughCook your salt dough pieces slowly in a very low oven The cooler and slower the better to preventdistortion in the cooking process These pieces were cooked at 140275 degrees or Gas Mark 1 forapproximately 2 hours but I often leave them all day in the oven at its lowest setting
Heartmade Gifts
Decorating Salt DoughYou can decorate your pieces before or after the cooking process Try adding food colouringherbs and spices tea or coffee to your dough as you knead it Or try painting your uncooked piecewith an egg wash for a lovely golden glowExperiment with various mediums on cooked pieces Gouache and acrylics work well but posterpaint is fine (if a little limited in colour variation) and you could try chalks felt tips or crayonsUse glue to add decorations including glitter sequins fabric bows tiny scraps of paper etcIts nice to leave the dough perfectly natural sometimes and sometimes a combination of naturaldough and painted areas works very wellVarnish thoroughly Any varnish will work I tend to use a spray varnish as a first coat to set thepaints then I add a few coats of a super store own brand wood varnish (If you need yourfinished piece to be especially waterproof try yacht varnish but be aware that it will tend tochange the colours making them yellowish)Use a small brush to get into all the nooks and crannies and allow each coat to dry thoroughlybefore applying the next one The more coats you apply the better protected your final pieceHowever unvarnished salt dough I have made for personal use (or the odd forgotten piece) hassurvived very well even in a slightly damp old house So dont let a lack of varnish deter you fromtrying salt dough But if you are creating a family heirloom four or five coats of a good varnish willensure it lasts for yearsTry these two Easter projects the ldquoEgg-stra Specialrdquo eggs are very quick and simple enough to dowith small children the primrose basket takes a while and is a little fiddly but well worth tryingand very easy to adapt by choosing your own flower or perhaps some other motif
~ Egg-stra Special Eggs ~
1 Form an egg shape from a small ball of dough by rolling in your hands and pressthis gently onto your baking tray(Its easier to build your salt dough pieces directly onto the tray you will use tocook them rather than try and move them while they are still uncooked I havebuilt my eggs onto the kitchen surface because it will be easier for you to see whatIm doing)
2 Roll out a piece of salt dough and use it to cover the bottom end of youregg like a blanket When you are happy with the position gently lift andrun a wet paintbrush between the two pieces to glue them together
3 Cut out an egg cup shape around your egg
4 Use a damp paintbrush to push the egg cup onto the eggand ensure it sticks
(A damp paintbrush also helps soften edges and blend any creases or cracks)
5 Uncurl an old metal paperclip and push into the dough to form a hangingloop You can use a piece of any wire I try and use paperclips or a piece of wire
coat-hanger as I like to recycle An alternative hanging method is to create a smallhole (or two holes for larger pieces) and thread a ribbon or piece of leather shoelacethrough the hole tying it to make a loop)
6 Cut out a small bow shape from a piece of flattened dough
7 Cut two ribbon ends from a rectangle of flattened dough
8 Use a wet paintbrush to layer the ribbon ends onto thetop of your egg
9 Attach the bow in position And add a small piece to the centre ofthe bow to finish
10 Cook
11 Decorate in whatever way takes your fancy hellip have fun
~ Primrose Basket ~
1 Cover a bowl in greaseproof paper and turn upside down onto your baking tray
2 Roll out some dough to approx 5mm thickness and cut into thin stripslong enough to cover your bowl
3 Lay four of these strips across the bottom ofyour bowl
4 Begin weaving four in the opposite direction by gently liftingalternate strips out of the way laying the cross strip and replacingthe lifted strips
5 Then add one strip to each side until you reach the edge of the bowl
6 Trim the edge with a knife or fold the stripsback to form a rough bowl lip You can indentsomething on the dough to secure anddecorate
7 Cook
8 Carefully remove the bowl and paper
9 Make primrose flowers and leaves and glue them to the rim with a wetpaintbrush replacing your bowl in the oven for a short whileLeaves ndash cut rough leaf shapes out of a piece of flatted dough and mark theveins and indent the edges with the back of a knifeFlowers ndash use a small heart cutter to cut 5 heart shapes and place on the rim with pointstogether indenting the centre with your fingertip and then marking with the end of a paintbrushPaint with whichever medium you prefer or have to hand I have used acrylics here leaving thebasket natural and painting the primrose leaves green and the flowers yellow adding someorange to the centres of the flowers while the yellow is still damp for a blurred effect
This article was written by Diannefrom Heartmade Gifts
Join Heartmade Gifts on Facebook
wwwheartmadegiftswordpresscom
Lilac Lace Heart LocketJewellery by Bina
Vintage Victorian StyledSweetheart Locket
Miss Bohemia
pound17
pound15
Emerald Bewitched
youmin
$40
The Bright Forest Locket
marisolspoon
$35
Cameral Locket
mydogandi
$2750
Creative CraftingFavourite
This article was created by
The Crystal Ladyhttpwwwmysticearthcouk
Lockets may sound very old fashioned but if you have a wander through thehandmade sites you will find a wealth of very modern and extremely beautifuldesigns Perfect for you to carry your loved ones with you wherever you go
Bee Joyful LocketThe Whimsical Wren
pound10
SteampunkWatch Mechanism
Locketedmdesigns
$85
Luscious LocketsLuscious Lockets
Who likes Chocolate CakeThis is a great recipe for Easter Mothers day or any other daylets admit it we all love chocolate
Ingredients
7 oz self raising flour8 oz caster sugar1 teaspoon of salt2 tablespoons of cocoa powder4 oz margarine2 eggs beaten with5 tablespoons evaporated milk5 tablespoons water1 teaspoon vanilla essence
1 Sift together flour sugar and salt and cocoa2 Rub in margarine3 Stir in eggs essence and liquids then beat well4 Grease and flour 2 8 inch cake tins divide the mixture between them5 Bake in a moderate over 325-350 F gas mark 3 about 35 minutes6 When cold sandwich together and cover in milk chocolate icing
Milk chocolate Icing
Ingredients
2 and a half oz margarine or butter4 tablespoons cocoa8 oz sieved icing sugar3 tablespoons hot milk1 teaspoon vanilla essence
Melt the margarine or butter and blend incocoa powder then stir in icing sugar milkand vanilla essence Beat until smooth andthick
We hope you all enjoy the recipe we would love to see anypictures of chocolate cakes that you make
Instructions
Instructions
Written and reviewed by Peggyrsquos Knitshttppeggyscollectionwebscom
By Sprinkles Sparkleshttpwwwsprinklessparklescouk
All prices are correct at the time of publication
Budget amp LuxurySpring special
Woodland DaffodilsCharm Bracelet
Coco Angel Rosepound1600
Spring Flower Hair ClipFlutter2me
pound450
Spring flowers broochDi Does Craft
pound800
Pink Spring Clutchfunky diva designs
pound1750
Cupcake BuntingCotton Cottage
pound1650
Purple TulipsWildrose Ridge
pound350
Chickadees and LilacsStained Glass WindowStained Glass Addie
pound4940
The Charlotte - SageRosalind Jamespound14500
Springtime 16 Crayon RollApple n Amos
pound509
Buttercup earrings in softyellow with peridot and brass
Goblins Marketpound401
Springtime DalaFolk Horse HangingDecoration - YellowCourt and Spark
pound400
D A P H N E - BrokenChina Plate Pendant
and Sterling Silver NecklaceDesigns by Mila
pound2228
To make the leaves
Using DK yarn and 300 mm hook make 5 leaves as follows
Rnd 1 9ch dc in 2nd ch 1htr in next ch 1tr in each of next 6ch 3ch ss in base of last tr worked
Now work on opposite side of stitches by turning the work
Rnd 2 3ch 1tr in each of next 6ch 1htr in next ch dc ss in top of first stFasten off and sew in loose ends
Materials
Small quantity of DK yarn I have used a yarn with awool-mix but any DK yarn of your choice will be suitableSmall quantity of kid mohair yarn (use two strands together)300 mm hook200 mm hookOne large buttonBrooch pinSewing needle
To make the small rose
Using a 200 mm hook and working two strands of kid mohair yarn together 13ch
Rnd 1 1tr 2ch 1tr in 4th ch (skip 2ch 1tr 2ch 1tr in next ch) 3 times (4 v- spaces)
Rnd 2 3ch 6tr into next v-space 1dc into space between v-spaces Continue with 6tr into eachv-space and 1dc in between spaces until end ss into last ch Fasten off
Roll the work with fingers from start to finish to create a small rose flower and sew together at thebase
Assembling the brooch
Turn the flower so the right side is facing up and sew the button in the centre of the flowerAttach the rose to the centre of the button as shown in diagram Sew a brooch pin to the back of theflower to complete the brooch
Arrange the 5 leaves to form a circle so thecorners of the leaves are touching Sew eachcorner together to form the petals of aflower
Turn the work so the wrong side is facing upand close the hole by sewing together withthe same DK yarn used to make the leaves
Crochet Flower Brooch
ch - chain stitchdc - double crochethtr - half treble crochetss - slip stitchtr - treble crochetst - stitch
Crochet Mobile PhoneiPod Cosy
Materials
50g Dk yarn in mustard colourSmall quantity of DK yarn in bright pink for picot edgingof cosy and small roseSmall quantity of DK yarn in sage green for leaves of roseflowerSize 300mm hook
Instructions for the cosy
The cosy can be made to fit a mobile phoneiPod of your choice
Pattern note the pattern is worked in dc throughout and worked in the round using the tapestrycrochet method of crochet This involves carrying a second yarn below the first making it verystrong
Foundation row
Using one strand of DK yarn in mustard make a chain that measures the width of your mobilephoneipod
Rnd 1 dc across row until the last chain 2dc in last chain Turn work
Rnd 2 Begin to carry a second strand of mustard yarn throughouteach round and every round from now on This yarn is not worked butcarried below the first strand of yarn
Work along the opposite side of the row just worked 1dc in first ch1ch in each chain until the last chain 2dc in last chain Now mark thelast stitch just worked with a different colour yarn so you can see theend of the round and keep moving this marker up to the last stitchworked
Rnd 3 Dc in each chain around working in spirals moving the stitchmarker as the piece grows Continue until the work measures thedesired length to fit the mobileiPod Fasten off and tie in loose ends
ch - chain stitchdc - double crochethtr - half treble crochetss - slip stitchtr - treble crochetst - stitch
Instructions for rose flower
Rnd 1 Using DK yarn in bright pink 1tr 2ch 1tr in 4th ch (skip 2ch1tr 2ch 1tr in next ch) 3 times (4 v- spaces)
Rnd 2 3ch 6tr into next v-space 1dc into space between v-spacesContinue with 6tr into each v-space and 1dc in between spaces untilend ss into last ch Fasten off
Roll the work with fingers from start to finish to create a small rose flower and sew together at thebase
Instructions for leaves
Using DK yarn and 300mm hook make 2 leaves as follows
Rnd 1 5ch dc in 2nd ch 1htr in next ch 1tr in each of next 2ch 3ch ss in base of last tr workedNow work on opposite side of stitches by turning the work
Rnd 2 3ch 1tr in each of next 2 ch 1htr in next ch dc ss in top of first st Fasten off and sew inloose ends
Assembly
Sew the leaves to the reverse of the rose and attach to the cosy as shown in the picture
Picot edging
Rnd 1 Using DK yarn in bright pink dc into each stitch around the edge of the cosy opening ss tofirst dc
Rnd 2 3ch ss into 2nd chain from hook ss into base of 3ch dc into next 2ch 3ch continuefrom to ss into last ch Fasten off and sew in loose ends
Written by Andrea Lesley Crochethttpwwwfolksycomshopsandrealesleycrochet
Materials
T - shirt - colour your choiceScissorsChainSewing needle and threadCorsage or embellishments
Step 1 First get a plain whitet-shirt
Step 2 Then cut off the neck Step 3 Now sew two pieces of chain to each side of where theneckline should be
Step 4 Cut a triangle out ofthe bottom of the t-shirt
Step 5 Tie the two ends thatare left into a knot or bow
Step 6 Finally add a corsageor flower to the front
Step 7 Now you have a bang on trend crop top simply wear over a vest top I loved designing andgokking up this t-shirt it took minutes and didnt cost a lot either
Corsage made by Madam SalamihttpwwwetsycomshopMadamSalami
Written By Heidi Jackson
Favourite finds from around the crafting communityThis months focus is Easter and Spring
Click on the images to take you to their store
Online StreetMISI
Ring With A FlowerBlue Fish Handmade
pound800
Spring necklace in glassand sterling silver
RosieJo Jewellerypound1275
Easter Eggs CardNaomi Constable
pound250
FOLKSY
Easter rabbit cushionwith choccie eggs
Phoebelinas Treasurespound500
Easter Knitted BagsFluerette
pound300
Small Gorgeous FeltSpring Bouquets
Spare Minute Productionspound2000
WOW THANK YOU
Green And Brown PetalFlower Bracelet
Sprinkles Sparklespound3750 inc pampp
Handmade Pink Canvas Wall Art(Set of 3)
Craft on Canvaspound3900 inc pampp
Blue Easter ChickDharmapaintings
pound12 20 inc pampp
All prices correct at the time of publication
Favourite finds from around the crafting communityThis months focus is Easter and Spring
Click on the images to take you to their store
Best PicksUGLY BE GONE
Handpainted DottyDolly Pegs
Ticketty Boopound650
Quirky Motifs ShopperRachael Taylor
pound1500
Collette the Cow BibBaby Boutique
pound1100
The Cutie Pie - recycledpaper butterfly shadow boxThe WingSpan Collection
pound6421
Easter 1 Square PendantHappy Easter Spring Flowers
Miss Gooseberry Pendantspound321
ETSY
RETROEasterplastic springfling daisy clip-on earringsamber brown makes art
pound208ARTFIRE
Easter Egg Mini Cards 2x2 6Peculiar Parchment
pound170
Spring Chicks - Little FusedGlass Dish - Easter Gift
First Light Glasspound926
4 Chocolate Easter ParadeBunny Lollipops extra large
Candy Cottagepound741
All prices correct at the time of publication
What you will need3 x 10 inch lengths of purple Cylon cord10mm silver plated lobster clasp and clasp tag2 x silver plated fold over necklace endsApprox 24 Rose Quartz gemstone chip beads(holes need to be large enough to thread onelength of the cylon cord though)2 x 4mm silver plated jump rings
Rose Quartz is the stone of unconditionalloveIt purifies and opens the heart helping thewearer to love themselves as well as others
Rose Quartz draws off negative energy andhelps release unexpressed emotions
Encourages self forgiveness and acceptanceaids self trust and self worth
I find it easier to use a macrame board for making this type of bracelet as it make it easier tokeep the design neat but its not essential I use a simple board made from a cork notice boardand pins I also use nylon nosed pliers to fold over the necklace ends as I find metal pliers oftenleave marks but again they arent essential
Step 2 Thread a chip bead onto each of the outer lengths ofcord
Step 3 Cross the outer cordsover the middle one as youwould in a braid Then braid thecords again
Step 1 Attach one of thenecklace ends to one end ofthe three lengths of CyloncordYou can then use the hole inthe end to attach the braceletto your board
Make a Rose Quartz Bracelet
Step 6 Attach the secondnecklace end to the three cordwithout cutting them as it makesit easier The ends can then betrimmed with a craft knife orsharp scissors
Step 7 Using the jump ringsattach the clasp to one end ofthe bracelet and the clasp tagto the other
Step 4 Thread two chip beadson to the new outer lengths ofcord and braid as in the previousstep
Step 5 Repeat step three and four untilthe bracelet reaches seven inchesor your desired length
(The clasp section will measureapproximately one inch)
If the cord ends become frayed they canbe fixed with a little super glue
Step 8 And there you areOne finished rose quartzbracelet
Would you like to share a craft project with Creative Crafting
Let us know what project you would like toshare with us
Anything from jewellery knitting and crochetcrafts paper crafts or a craft you feel hasbeen forgotten about
Email thecrystalladycreative-craftingcom
Written by Elderberry Artshttpwwwelderberryartscouk
To those who are not yet aware Prince William and Kate Middleton will tie the knot this month onFriday 29th April in a quiet little ceremony at Westminster Abbey To some this may mean getting aday off to celebrate the nuptials or actually attend the whole affair To others like myself who areself-employed there will be no day off and hence little difference from a normal day but we can stillbe happy for the two love birds entering a state of marital bliss for the first timeIn these uncertain economic times I am not sure how the Royal Wedding will affect the economyhow much money will people want to spend Will this mean street parties like those that dominatemany peoplersquos memories from Prince Charles and Dianarsquos wedding back in 1981 Will there be arush to purchase ridiculously crass lsquosouvenirrsquo mugs plates tea towels or will the market just not bethere at all with all the unsold Royal Wedding goods in the pound shops by JuneThe handmade and crafting sector needs to be aware of the sales potential created by this Royalevent and so products should be made available to support the celebrations and possibly make thecountry feel good about itself again Maybe a lovely warm spring day in April will be good for thecountry and make it forget its economic woes for a few hoursWe asked a number of our sellers about their experience of the last big Royal Wedding (Charles andDiana) and what they are going to do this time to celebrate There were mixed feelings ndash manywere too young to remember much about the 1981 event and even though I remember a day offfrom school I cannot remember any street parties or spontaneous Mardi Gras This time around Ithink money will be a big factor and most people will not stray too far from a bit of home baking inred white and blue and also a show of patriotic bunting Union Jacks are quite the lsquoin thingrsquo at themoment for interior design and so a patriotic statement may double as being hip and trendy
Kim Lampard of Zigzag Bunting thinks a great way tocelebrate the Royal Wedding is to make your own buntingShe suggests pulling together a pile of fabrics that you nolonger need but that hold cherished memories for you forexample your daughterrsquos first cute dress a tea-towel youbought on a special holiday an old bedspread made by your
Granny Even if the items are damaged so cannot be passed on to others there is always a littlecorner that can be cut up into a triangle to make a bunting flag Mix a few of these together and ifyou have enough for a colour scheme (such as red white and blue) fine but donrsquot worry the flagsdonrsquot even need to be the same size Sometimes a shabby chic lsquoMix and Matchrsquo approach turns outto be perfect Sew the fabric triangles onto a piece of ribbon or bias tape and you will have awonderful string of bunting to decorate for the special day You and your family will remember notonly the Royal Wedding when you bring out that bunting but have extra glimpses of their past inthe fabrics Definitely a memento to cherish
Gaye Weekes of A amp V Designs now lives in Snowdonia North Wales and onlyan hour away from Anglesey where the Royal couple will begin their marriedlife She has no doubt had that His Highness has been hovering over theirremote valley in his helicopter over recent months Gaye plans to be flying redwhite and green Welsh bunting for the wedding Her bunting is made fromvintage fabric from the 1950s and 1960s - a cotton heavy woven greenand cream floral and a jolly red and white gingham She adds ldquo
rdquo
This article was written by
from
httpwwwwowthankyoucouk
Karine Ait-Mohamed of The Pink Fairy Cake isFrench but now lives in England She says ldquo
rdquo In the spirit of the occasion Karinehas produced a product that combines both England and France into the celebration Shehas produced sets of two Union Jack hearts filled with lavender from Chateau la Gabelle inHaute-Provence
Lisa MacDonald of LisaMollyMacDonaldis quite enthusiastic about the weddingand getting caught up in the glamour of the
occasion ldquo
rdquo
Lou Carswell of Loubie Jewels has some prettyfantastic red white and blue jewellery which wouldbe suitable for a Royal wedding celebration She told
us ldquo
rdquo
So what can we gather from these observations It will be a nice idea to celebrate the RoyalWedding If we apply a little lsquowartimersquo austerity (handmade lends itself to recycling andupcycling) we shouldnrsquot have to spend a fortune We can step back from commercialism andbe involved in a low key but meaningful way that will make the event more memorable for itssimplicity and just a little thrift God Bless William and Kate
Tell us about yourself
My name is Sandra Ritchie I live in Cleethorpes UK with my husbandJason my 10 year old daughter Alisha my 2 year old son Alfred andour dog Dumbledore Primarily I am a housewife but in my sparetime I make jewellery of all kinds from beaded pieces to metal workbut mainly I make custom-made bespoke precious metal jewellery
When did your crafting begin and why
Many years ago I studied Jewellery and Metal Art at college andover time Ive collected the tools I needed but never got round tosetting up a workroom until 2009 when my Husband pointed outthat our Utility Room would be perfect for me to set up as aworkroom to start making jewellery again It seemed ideal Ialready had people interested in me making them some jewelleryand it meant I could stay at home and look after the children as wellas try to establish a name for myself as a Jewellery designermaker
What was the first item you made to sell online
The first item I made to sell whilst not specifically to sell online was asilver octopus necklace commissioned by an acquaintance of mine thathad seen the silver octopus necklace that I made for myself whilst atcollege and wanted one like it She has since purchased the silver andcopper entwined Dragon necklace and a commissioned silver Dragonand is back on my list for another piece to be made My number onefan I think
What is your biggest crafting achievement and why
I love all the pieces Ive created especially my Custom work but myfavourite piece of all is the Greenman necklace I was approached tomake something as a surprise for someone and was basically giventhe opportunity to produce something different to my usual pieces Ilove making pieces that are based on peoples ideas of what theywant that is really special but the Greenman necklace was mydesign based on what the customer wanted it to represent I had toteach myself etching for the piece as its something Id never learntand Im really pleased with how it worked out
Other than crafting what else do you like to do
I love spending time with my children and family I love baking andcooking too and I suppose I should admit to enjoying the oddrelaxing glass (or bottle) of nice wine when the children are in bed
wwwlittlefairycultcouk
Where would you like to be in 5 years
In 5 years time Id love to be in a better financial position so I canbuy silver and make silver jewellery to sell that isnt just Custom-made Ive started sneaking a few pieces of precious metal jewellerythat are for general sale onto my site
Where does your inspiration come from
My inspiration is usually from the customers themselves They tell mewhat it is they want and I design a piece to reflect that Sometimes theyalter the design slightly to reflect more of how they want it and that isfine For my bead jewellery its usually what beads I have in myworkroom that inspire my beaded pieces I very rarely buy beads for thereason that I have a design idea and usually just buy mixed lots of beadsand work with what I have
What are your favourite materials and why
I really love working with precious metals There is somethinguniquely satisfying about taking a flat sheet of metal and turning itinto a beautiful piece of jewellery Thats why I take pictures of thepieces as I am making them so that other people and the customerwhos item it is can enjoy seeing it progress from a blank piece ofprecious metal into the finished piece
What is favourite shop online that isnrsquot yours and why
Oh my There are so many amazing websites offering beautiful andunique handmade items but I will always take a look at Etsy to see ifthere is anything that catches my eye on there They have such a largevariety of designerssellers making almost everything but the kitchen sink(though I bet if you looked hard enough youd find one on there) Ireally enjoy the little treasuries they do too where you can browse aselection of items that are grouped together by themes
Has any person helped or supported you more than any other
I have had a lot of support from the good friends I have gained on Twitter and of coursemy real life friends have been extremely supportive too but the main reason I actuallysorted out my workroom (or corner of the utility room) was due to my husband insistingthat I start making jewellery again Luckily his insistence and support paid off virtuallystraight away when a friend asked for the octopus necklace I mentioned earlier to bemade
Tell us a random fact about yourself
I have known the sex of each child and whether Id be carrying one or more before I evenconceived them Fairly random but fact nevertheless
Kit includes seed beads 5 x handmade glass beads choker wire x 3 banglewire x 2 ring wire x 3 jewellery pliers beading mat instructions
Makes 8 fabulous and individual pieces of jewellery without the need forfiddly findings books or other money-wasters
Beaded Jewellery Kitpound12Japan Crafts
A coordinating selection of beads plus step-by-step full colour instructions to make your own version of the Jungle Collar design Learn how to work peyote stitch edge it with drops and embellish it with a lush fringe and beaded flowers and leaves Let your beading imagination run wild
Each kit is hand-picked and slightly different so the beads you receive may not be the exact onesshown in the photograph but you can be certain that your necklace will be uniqueThe kit comes carefully packaged in a handy reusable storage box the only things yoursquoll need inaddition are a beading needle a spool of nylon beading thread and some sharp scissors
Beadweaving Kit for Jungle Collar
pound38Lynn Davy
Fairy Earrings Jewellery Making Kit - Ages 7yrs+
pound5Jewellery Making Kits
These single kits are fabulous for all crafty and creative girls They also make great presents for school friends nieces sisters or even grown ups Each kit includes Sterling Silver earwires or studs a small selection of flowers for the skirt a pair of wings a few coloured glass pearls for the heads silver headpin Organza Bag Full set of instructionsSuitable for ages 7 years and up Requires a pair of pliers to finish off - all instructions included
Bracelet Kit - Chunky Swarovski Pearl and Crystal with Toggle Clasp
pound750Wonderstuff Craft Kits
A little kit of bronze Swarovski pearls and Golden Shadow Swarovski crystals silk and toggle clasp
Kit includes 11 x Swarovski 12mm Pearls Colour - Soft Bronze 3 x Swarovski Crystal 8mm Rondelles - Colour - Golden Shadow 8 x Swarovski Crystal 4mmBicones Colour - Light Colorado Topaz 1 x Silver Plated Toggle Bar 1 x Silver plated Toggle RingBracelet length of threading silk Instructions
This kit contains top quality beads to make an exquisite braceletno special tools are needed
Jewellery making kits
from the small crafterWersquove found a selection of wonderful beading kits for allages and experience These are not massed producedsets but offered by the small crafter
This article was created by The Crystal Lady httpwwwmysticearthcouk
This Months
This months lsquoMan of the Monthrsquo is Ade (Adrian)EdmondsonChosen by MegampMillie
This months lsquoLady of the Monthrsquo is GwenStefaniChosen by Claire Pearcy from Elderberry Arts
httpwwwgwenstefanicom
httpwwwunrealitytvcouklets-dance-for-comic-relieflets-dance-for-comic-relief-results-ade-edmondson-and-eighties-super-group-make-next-weeks-final
(Nothing like an April Fools)
This months lsquoBlog of the Month Awardrsquo goes to lsquoItrsquos All Fiddle Fartrsquo
httpitsallfiddlefartblogspotcom
This months lsquoShop of the Month Awardrsquo goes to lsquoJulias DriftwoodFurniturersquo
httpwwwfolksycomshopsseasandview123
ww
wc
reativ
e-cr
afting
co
mw
ww
cr
eative-c
on
nec
tion
snin
gc
om
CREATIVE CRAFTING
Our next issue will be available to read on
1st June 2010If you have missed any of our issues you
can find them to read on our websitewwwcreative-craftingcom
And also on our Social Network Creative Connectionswwwcreative-connectionsningcom
To advertise in Creative Crafting or to submit an article please contact Annaat thecrystalladycreative-craftingcom
AUGUSTSUMMER 2010
Issue 5
By Crafters for Crafters
Check out our
CraftersDirectory
CREATIVE CRAFTING
By Crafters for Crafters
Issue 3
ValentinesMothers Day 2010
HandcraftedWeddingSpecial
Valentine ampMothers Day
Projects
Have youbeen
featured
By Crafters for Crafters
Issue 3ValentinesMothers Day 2010
Handcrafted
Wedding
SpecialValentine amp
Mothers Day
ProjectsHave you
been
featured
By
EASTER 2010
Issue 4
FATHERS DAY 2010
Issue 4
By Crafters for Crafters
Ch
eck out our
Craft
ersDirectory
AUGUSTSUMMER 2
010
Issu
e 5
By Craf
ters fo
r Craf
ters
Chec
k out our
Crafters
Directory
CREATIVE
C
RAFTINGAU
TUM
N H
ALLO
WEE
N 201
0Is
sue
7
CREA
TIVE
CRAF
TIN
G
By Craf
ters f
or C
rafter
s
Chec
k
out our
Craft
ersDirect
ory
An
niv
ersa
ry
Issu
e
Donrsquot forget
All of our links andadverts are fullyclickable
If you would like to embed our magazine into your website blog myspace page etc you can
customise the code to suit your style and size
AUTUMN HALLOWEEN 2010
Issue 7CREATIVE CRAFTING
By Crafters for Crafters
Check out our
CraftersDirectory
Anniversary
Issue
CHRISTMAS 2010
Issue 8
By Crafters for Crafters
FATHERS DAY 2010
Issue 4
By Crafters for Crafters
Check out our
Crafters
Directory
EASTER 2010
Issue 4
By Crafters for Crafters
By Crafters for Crafters
VALENTINES 2011Issue 9
CREATIVE CRAFTING
If you would like to be featured in our directory please visit our website
Crafterrsquos DirectoryThe perfect place to find beautiful gifts
Handcrafted items are becoming a popular alternative tomass produced items
Lovingly created and often surprisingly inexpensiveBrowse through our directory and
click on the links to visit a world of beautiful craft shops
Off With Her HeadOff With Her Head
LamingtonsLemonade and
Custom made HealingJewellery
lsquoJust for yoursquo
PeggyrsquosCollection
Made with love and care
Ragtag Rugs
If you would like to be featured in our directory please visit our website
Crafterrsquos DirectoryThe perfect place to find beautiful gifts
Handcrafted items are becoming a popular alternative to mass produced itemsLovingly created and often surprisingly inexpensive
Click on the links to visit a world of beautiful craft shops
Averilpam Design Handcrafted one of a kind jewellery and bags Folksy
Designs By Isis Beautiful and unique handmade jewellery waiting for you to treatyourself Website
Elderberry Arts Hand crafted unique and uncommon silver gemstone glass gay andbisexual jewellery Website
Enigma Jewellery Unusual handmade jewellery amp gifts using Sterling Silver Hill TribeSilver Swarovski Crystals - most items are one off designs Folksy
Kokokelli Gorgeous Handmade Jewellery amp Greeting Cards at affordable prices Folksy
LauraFaye Crafts Eclectic gorgeous bright and contemporary - beaded jewellery andgifts resin jewellery polymer clay pieces cards and artwork Website
Madam CC Something old Something new Folksy
Mystic Earth Gemstone Healing Jewellery personal matching service available Website
Pretty Beautiful Designs byMaria
Unique handmade jewellery necklaces bracelets and earrings perfectfor every occasion from everyday to a big night out Website
RastafairyMalaika Beautifully crafted macrame jewellery with semi-precious stonesComissions taken Etsy
Rosie-Jo High quality handmade beaded jewellery featuring sterling silver semiprecious stones glass wood felt porcelain and tensha beads Misi
Snow Queen Trinkets Kiln Fused Dichroic Glass Jewellery Folksy
Sprinkles Sparkles Bespoke Handmade Jewellery and Accessories Website
The Jewellery Angel Cute Colourful and Kitsch Jewellery Folksy
The Vintage Jewellery Box Hand-designed vintage-inspired jewellery with a modern twist offering afresh alternative to girls who like to wear something a bit different Website
Neate Crafts Painting Knitting Pyrography amp lots more Misi
Painted Ghost Handmade accessories for baby and child home of the Bibbla Website
Crafterrsquos DirectoryThe perfect place to find beautiful gifts
Handcrafted items are becoming a popular alternative to mass produced itemsLovingly created and often surprisingly inexpensive
Click on the links to visit a world of beautiful craft shops
SudrsquonrsquoSoothe Juice Bar just got a new meaning Website
Radiance Crystals Bespoke Bridal and Occasion Jewellery Website
All things Nice The home of unique affordable arts and crafts Folksy
Diomo Glass A range of Stained Glass Gifts by a Stained Glass Artist I recycle glass tocreate gifts and other novel little items of interest fun and meaning Folksy
FloralGifts4U Beautiful floral gifts for all occasions Sock posies are our speciality Website
Lemonade and Lamingtons Homewares amp accessories fresh amp exciting Folksy
Ragtag Rugs Handmade rugs from recycled textiles Folksy
Court amp Spark Handmade Textiles by Phillippa Harding An original range ofDecorations Soft Furnishing Cards amp Gifts with a VintageRetro Twist Website
Dab and a Dash Unique handmade JournalsNotebooks Fabric covers and stitchedbinding Folksy
Kelso Kreations Handmade Gifts for that special occasion Folksy
Little ScruffsMiniature Mohair Artist Bears with loads of character Vintage style collectable Website
Moody Cow Designs Unique handmade handbags and accessories Folksy
pipdesigns Ipad Covers Purses Handbags - Designer amp Funky Fabrics Folksy
Wraggamuffins Handmade chocolate truffles a perfect Valentines gift to show someonehow much you love them Website
If you would like to be featured in our directory please visit our website
Ann Chandler Originals Unique bags and accessories in unusual fabrics including vintagekimono silks funky cotton prints and upcycled clothing Folksy
Off With Her Head Vintage Inspired Millinery hats and fascinators based on originalvintage designs illustrations and photographs and custom designs Website
Crafterrsquos DirectoryThe perfect place to find beautiful gifts
Handcrafted items are becoming a popular alternative to mass produced itemsLovingly created and often surprisingly inexpensive
Click on the links to visit a world of beautiful craft shops
Beads4Breakfast Artisan lampwork beads made in my kitchen studio Commissions taken Website
The Little Bead Box Beautiful Beads and Jewellery Supplies Folksy
UK Craft Store Novelty buttons and more Website
Abstract Cat Crafts Colourful high quality hand-dyed and hand-painted knitting yarn Website
Andrea Lesley Crochet Beautiful handmade crochet gifts Folksy
Joyknitt Joyknitt Knits Misi
NOfkants Curios Hand Knitted and Crocheted Unique Handbags Folksy
Peggyrsquos Knits Quality knitted items Website
Wharfedale Woolworks Hand painted yarns and custom knits Folksy
Creative CraftingAdvertise with
wwwcreative-craftingcomadvertisehtml
A mouse here could take customersto your store
We care about yourcraft business
Prices startfrom only pound2
The Broken Doll Unique greeting cards and gifts from The Doll for that something a littlebit different Folksy
Di saw it first craftreviews
Thank you to everyone that has sent in items for the review Such gorgeous handmade giftsThere really are many very talented people out there
All of these items are going to be able to be won by one of our lucky readers Could it be you
Delightful canvas personalised bag and hair accessoriesSo well made and presented gorgeously These would makesuch a good gift for any little girl Beautiful detail and somany choices of what to buy The details on them areexceptionalwwwjaydesignshairclipscouk
Gorgeous hand made beaded bracelet with little pink bowsso well made and would compliment any outfit
Has so many gorgeous pieces in her shop something foreveryone Comes in a gorgeous little organza bag packagedbeautifullywwwmychicuniqueetsycom
Handmade gorgeous card called Moonlit Bay This card isso stunning the details that have gone into it really show
A very professional finish and hand signed by the artistMimi who is based in Cornwall Mini makes some gorgeousitems and it is so nice to have her Cornwall influencesinspiring her artworkwwwartbymimicouk
This is a stunning necklace made with lampwork beads and Swarovskicrystalspearls and glass bicones with glass seed beads The coloursare amazing and really stand out
Packaged in a beautiful aqua organza bag to compliment thenecklace This would be a great gift for anyone and I am sure youwould get so many compliments from wearing thiswwwscottishprincesscouk
Di saw it first craftreviews
Recycled fabric notebookjournal has 3 pages and is A5 size with2 decorative pagesThe front page also has a pretty nameplate with 3D flowers on it
Made very well and would be an absolutely wonderful gift for any one to receive regardless of their age Although it is unsuitable for very young children due to the decorative disc on the front cover My nieces both loved this notebook and I am sure it would be a great gift for little girls and a very special keepsake book
wwwfolksycomshopsdabdash
Nursing necklace from a company called Booby and The BeadsAbsolutely stunning colours and made very well Pinks and reds reallycompliment each other Packaged in a beautiful pink organza bag
A great idea for a present for any ladyhttpwwwfacebookcompagesBooby-The-Beads-Nursing-Necklaces-Reminder-Bracelets -more157477778613
Lovely handmade bookmark made with material andcharms So different and would make an excellentgift Never seen a bookmark with so much detail onBefore
Gorgeous handmade charm packaged and has so muchdetail on it This would be perfect on your bag or keys and Iam sure everyone would ask where you bought it from Bothpackaged beautifullywwwd-k-designscouk
You could win all these goodies by entering our giveaway
Just enter you name and email address to be in fora chance of winning all these handmade gifts
wwwcreative-craftingcomgiveawayhtml
Closing date for entries is 31st May 2011
Written and reviewed by Peggyrsquos Knitshttppeggyscollectionwebscom
Make this simple striking necklace using beadedheadpins and chain to add a bold statement
to your favourite outfit
MaterialsI used Beads Unlimited products in the following quantities tocomplete the jewellery set -
100g x high quality glass mix pink tones (GLXH22)1 x 40 mm silver foil flat round lime green (GLCN4028)50 cm x heavy chain ( sold per meter) silver plated (CHHSP)2 x (1 pack of 10) 8 mm jump ring silver plated (JR8SP)1 x pack of 100 headpins silver plated (HPSP)2 x (1 pack of 6) long ballwires silver plated (LBWSP)1 x (1 pack of 12) eyepins silver plated (EPSP)1 x trigger clasp silver plated (TRGSP)You will also need a pair of multi pliers (CRMT)
Step 1 Thread thelime green beads ontoan eyepinWith the round nosedpart of the pliers bendthe eyepin into a loopdonrsquot close it yet
Step 2 Measure andCut 28 cm and 12 cmof chainAttach one length toeach eye on the beadedeyepin and close theloop
Step 3 Thread a beadof your choice from thepink mix onto a headpinTrim the headpin 1 cmabove the beadsAttach to the chain linknext to the lime greenbeads Close the loop
Gemma is inspired by everything around her from colourand form to the materials she uses and by using manytraditional techniques with contemporary ideas she createsjewellery with her individual style
Make your ownStriking Necklace and Earrings
Step 4 Continue to addbeads from the pink mixin the way to create atapered look on each sideThe shorter length of chainshould be beaded along 5 cmand the longer length 14 cm
Step 5 Attach and 8 mmjump ring to one and of thenecklace ends and a jumpring with a trigger clasp tothe other
Finished necklace
To make the earringsCut a 5 cm length of chain Attach a long ballwire to one end and bead inthe same way as the necklace Make sure you attach a bead to the endlineRepeat to make a pair
Designed by Gemma fromwwwbeadsunlimitedcouk
This necklace and earring set could be yoursVisit wwwcreative-craftingcomgiveawayto enter
Competition end date is -31st May 2011
Beautiful Jewellery to helpyou through life
wwwmysticearthcouk
These pieces of unique jewellery makethe perfect gift for a loved one or a much
needed treat for yourself
MYSTIC EARTH
Have you ever thought ofhaving a piece of
Gemstone and CrystalHealing Jewellery Created
lsquojust for yoursquoEach stone matched to your needs
The Crystal Lady at Mystic Earthcan offer you this service
Quality KnittedItems
httpwwwpeggyscollectionwebscom
PeggyrsquosCollection
Made with love and care
Mother Nature has provided us withwonderful Healing Gemstones and Minerals
PeridotFor this Issue discover the beauty of
(MgFe)2(SiO4)+AlCaMnNiCoCrTi
If you would likemore information about
Crystal Healing Jewelleryyou can contact
The Crystal Lady atthecrystalladymysticearthcouk
httpwwwmysticearthcoukor visit
In the Middle Ages Peridot was employed for warding off evil spiritsand to bestow wisdom and friendship
Mentally -Dissolves oppressive feelings that arise from self-blameAllows us to forgive ourselves
Physically - Peridot has a strong detoxifying effect and stimulates the liverEnhances the liver and gallbladder helps with skin problems even warts
Chakra - Heart Solar Plexus
Peridot Mini Hair Comb
pound14
Lime Crush
pound35Victorian Sterling Silver
Peridot Ring
$38
Chocolate Pearl and PeridotNecklace
$78Jasper Peridot Rhyolite
and Pearl Necklace
pound45
Peridot Chip Bracelet
pound7
As a woman in the UK today if you attend a wedding or the races andparticularly if you are lucky enough to go to Ladies Day at Royal Ascotthen it is usually expected that you should wear a hat or nowadaysa fascinator
If you want to get ahead get a hat
People have always worn hats in someform whether as a protective head covering oras a mark of status within society hats have alwayshad their place In the 15th century it was expectedthat women keep their hair covered wearing veilsand wimples and refashioned male hats were alsopopular
But it was not until the 17th century that womenrsquosheadwear began to take the familiar shape that it does today Bonnetsbecame increasingly popular and at times could be extremely elaboratetrimmed with ribbons lace and feathers
The term lsquomillinerrsquo meaning a maker of womenrsquos hats refers to products derived from Milan andNorthern Italy such as the straws and ribbons used in the making of hats
The haberdashers who imported of these products were known as lsquoMillanersrsquo from which we getthis term The first use of the term in the UK was in the 1700rsquos
Hats were extremely popular at the turn of the 20th century not only forspecial occasions Victorian hats were large brimmed and ornatelydecorated with flowers feathers ribbons and beads The austerity of theSecond World War led to their eventual decline as an everyday pieceof a womanrsquos wardrobe
Nowadays hats and the ever popular fascinator are seeing a resurgencenot in the least thanks to the influences of women such as Sarah JessicaParker Paloma Faith and of course Kate Middleton
Choosing a hat or fascinator needs careful consideration Height faceshape and personality all play a part in shaping your decision A boldfascinator is a statement piece and is certainly not for the shy
Everyone can wear some type of hat or fascinator its just a matter of finding the right one to suityou
There are some amazing British professional milliners working today not least including thelikes of Stephen Jones and Phillip Treacy but you will also find in the UK some wonderful millinersselling their designs on Etsy each producing unique designs to put the perfect finish to any outfitwhatever the occasion
Off With Her Head is run by self taught designer and milliner Lisa Poolewhose designs are fuelled by a love of vintage fashion and moviecostumes
Based in Fife Scotland she prides herself on creating each piece by handand loves to create bespoke pieces for her customers
Off With Her Head focuses on creating vintage inspired pieces andalthough Lisa creates hats and fascinators from various eras in historyshe admits to being a little biased towards the 1950rsquos as its her favouritedecade for fashion
Whatever direction Off With Her Head takes the ethos behind the businessremains the same - quality hats and fascinators at a reasonable price
Off With Her Head ndash Vintage Inspired Millinery
Etsy Store httpwwwetsycomshopmadamequeenyWebsite wwwoffwithherheadcouk
Annalisa Maria Millinery
Annalisa of Annalisa Maria Millinery has always adored hats andbeing the type of person who loves to make things she quitenaturally became interested in millinery
Trained at Kensington and Chelsea college famous for itsmillinery alumni where she learnt all the basics of the trade
She now works out of her London home producing beautifulone of a kind hats and head pieces
Etsy Store wwwetsycomshopdesignsbyannalisa
With so much choice there is absolutely no excuse not to finish your outfit with stunning hatfascinator or headpiecehellip and as they say
Written By Lisa PooleFrom Off With Her Headwwwoffwithherheadcouk
Ella Gajewska is a professional milliner working in London Hats are thelove of her life She has been working as a milliner since 1996 thoughher passion for hats started much earlier in her childhood when Ellacreated hats for her dolls to give them a bit more of an extravagantlook
Having achieved success in Poland where she was a milliners ateliermanager and an inspiring teacher for other young milliners she decidedto take her chances in London the world capital of hats
Since 2001 Ella Gajewska has had the chance of working for renownedateliers and milliners Working in England alongside the best designersof various head wear she has had the chance to develop and perfecther skills even more
Ella Gajewska
Etsy Store wwwetsycomshopEllaGajewskaWebsite wwwellagajewskacom
Little Miss B Design
Little Miss B started out making hats and accessories for herselfand friends uninspired by what was available on the high streetShe decided that shersquod like to give a wider audience the chanceto own a unique Little Miss B creation so began her foray intofashion and millinery
Her inspirations comes from days gone by when style andglamour were more apparent and the quality of craftsmanshipwas high From the 1920s to the 1960s vintage to rockabillyLittle Miss B brings it to the present day with a modern twist
Etsy Store httpwwwetsycomshopLittleMissBDesign
Ive always been artistic in one form or another As a child I always paintedand drew a lot At school I did everything from make a wooden fish pencilholder perspex badges pottery and childrens toys I was very into pencildrawings and shading but I loved using watercolour and other textures formy more cartoonManga style art
I was never very good at what back then was deemed the Girlie stuff I wasmore into woodwork and moulding and graphics This is probably what mademe choose my Bachelor of Science Degree in Architectural Technology Formy degree we used a lot of CAD (Computer Aided Design) to design buildings and building materialsWe also had to craft models of some of our own designs with foam board and other materials I wasin my element with this part of the curriculum
The great thing about craftdesignmaking things - whatever you want to call it is that there is a freedom in Art that you do not get anywhere else There is no right and wrong and no rules The rules come later At the point of concept it is just you and your imagination Which is very liberating and also quite scary because we are conditioned to think within the constraints of rules Art has no rules
Dianes Celebrity ChatsOur lovely Di from Peggyrsquos Knits chats to another celebrity about crafting
Tanya has worked on a number of shows the most recent being the character Adele Alfrey in ITVrsquos Emmerdale She has also worked on other familiar shows with awardwinning producers directors and writers She starred in the BBCcomedy Kerching Her first professional role was in Holby CityShe is also an accomplished presenter and budding playwrightTanya is a former student of the National Youth TheatreTanya told me how she has been artistic about how she sees artand her views on crafting
Please all take a look at Tanyarsquos website which ishttpwwwtanyavitalcom
What you will needFleece material - To determine the size needed- measure the circumference of your head(around your ears) and add 12 inch for seamallowance This will be the width and the lengthmeasurement is 20 inchesCotton thread in the same or contrasting colour
Average Head Sizes -
Newborn (6 months and younger)Circumference 14 to 17 inchesCrown 8 to 10 inches
Infant (6 to 12 months)Circumference 16 to 19 inchesCrown 11 to 12 inches
Child (12 months to 3 years)Circumference 18 to 20 inchesCrown 11 to 12 inches
Step 1 Lay out your fleece on a flat surface anddraw out a rectangle using the measurements forthe hat size required This should be 20 inches longand the width will be the circumference measurementof the size hat your making plus 12 inch seamallowance So to make a hat for a child with a headcircumference of 15 inches the width should be15 12 inches
Claire from Elderberry Arts shows us how to make achildrens hat from fleece material
Why not experiment this Easter holiday
Below are easy to follow instructions and a sizing guide
Thin length of fleece approx 12 inches by12 inchRuler or tape measureTailors chalk or penScissorsPinsSewing needles or sewing machine
Elderberrry Arts
Step 4 Place the right sides of the fleecetogether and pin along the length of thematerial Sew along this edge either by handor machine Knot ends and sewing inside thehem You can trim this hem to make it even andneater if needed
Step 5 Turn the hat right side out andarrange it so the seam is in the middleback From the bottom of your hatmeasure the crown length and place thefleece strip under the hat at this point
Step 6 Tie the ends of thestrip together and pull tightto gather hat
Step 7 Now cut the topsection of the hat into stripsapproximately 12 inch wide
Once youve cut all the wayround the strips can be trimmedto shorten them if required
You could also thread plastic ponybeads on some or all of the stripsknotting the bottom to secure them
Step 2 Cut out the rectangleof fleece Then cut a strip 12inches by 12 inch of fleecefrom the leftover material
Step 3 Pin a hem approx12 inch wide across theshorter length of fleece
Sew either by hand or machineKnot ends and sewing insidethe hem
Written by Elderberry Artshttpwwwelderberryartscouk
Rug Making Ragtag RugsWith
Looking for something fabulous to make using all your old T-shirts sweat shirts and other disusedgarments If so this could be the project for you
The craft of making rag rugs is very traditional and dates backto the mid eighteen hundreds itrsquos still very relevant today whatwith the importance of recycling the other great thing aboutit is that the design on the rug can pretty much be whateveryou want it to be - an image of your pet or your house anabstract or geometric design or something floral traditionalhellip itrsquos totally up to you and your imagination
The technique Irsquoll be using for this project is a method calledlsquohookingrsquo which is very simple and produces a soft and hardwearing pile Irsquove tried to keep everything simple and equipment to a minimum so that everyone canhave a go My favourite fabrics to use are the afore mentioned T-shirts and sweat shirts as they frayvery little but most textiles of a medium thickness can be used
MaterialsVirtually any material can be used in a rag rug some materials are easier to work with than othersThe best materials to use for hooking include T-shirts sweat shirts lightweight cottonssynthetics amplightweight woolsynthetic jumpers Fabrics such as heavy weight denim are not suitableFor this project Irsquove used plain fabrics but patterned fabrics can also be used
HookingStep 1 Working with the Hessian design side up poke the hook through the Hessian and grab thestrip of fabric underneath with the hook
Step 2 Pull the end of the strip of fabric up through the Hessian so that you leave a tail of at least1 cm sticking up
Step 3 Move the hook along about half a centimeter poke it back down through the Hessian andpull a loop of fabric up through to the top of the Hessian a loop height of about 1 cm is best thenjust repeat this technique filling in the required area when you reach the end of a fabric strip pullthe end up through the Hessian and trim it so itrsquos the same height as the loopsMake sure your loops are dense enough and you canrsquot see any of the Hessian backing There is noneed to physically fix the loops in place as they will stay put automatically due to the thickness ofThe fabric and the denseness of the loops
What you will needA piece of Hessian measuring 90 cm x 110 cmSelection of fabrics cut into strips measuring1 - 2 cm wide depending on the thickness ofthe fabric and avoid any seamsRug hookDressmakers pinsScissors
Large-eyed needleBall of woolMarker penYard stick metre ruler2 sheets of thin A4 card or a flattened cereal packetCompassPencil
Ragtag Rugs Rug Making Ragtag RugsWith
Step 1 Using the compass and pencildraw two circles measuring 185 cmacross on the sheets of card and cut theseout using the scissors
Step 2 Using the marker pen and metre rule draw a rectangle on the piece of Hessian measuring63 cm x 84 cm leaving a boarder of about 12 cm all the way around the rectangle Divide therectangle into four giving you central lines for the width and length of the rug Place the card spotson the Hessian in the appropriate places and draw around them using the marker pen for the halfand quarter spots fold one of the card templates accordingly and then draw around it Draw in yourdesigns within the spots
Step 3 Fold under the raw edges of the Hessian and stitch with arunning stitch using the large-eyed needle and wool this is to preventthe Hessian fraying selvedge edges can be left as they are
Step 4 Hook in the strips of fabrics filling in the spots first and then thebackground You can either use the design shown here or make up yourown spots and colour scheme
Step 5 When completed lay the rug face down on the floor and turn in a hem of about 6 cms tothe back of the rug and pin it all the way around fold and pin the corners as neatly as possibleSew the hem to the back of the rug with a running stitch using the large-eyed needle and woolVoila You have a rug
wwwfolksycomshopsragtagrugs
Written by Ragtag Rugs
SupplierFor an American Style Rug Hook costing about pound750 and also Hessian go to Fred Aldous CraftSupplies wwwfredaldouscouk
NoteSome people prefer to use a rug making frame which helps to keep the rugsquare but as the rug wersquore making here is fairly small and wersquore keepingthings simple Irsquove dispensed with this
The first item I sold online was on my Folksy shop(httpwwwfolksycomshopsLaurabyTheSea) and was a vintage ceramic andbead brooch the buyer was very pleased with it and gave me great feedback
Tell us about yourselfMy name is Laura and I live by the sea in the East of England Pakefield to be precise I live with my wonderful Brother who is a musician so we have a very creative household and in our bright conservatory I make ldquoLaura by The Seardquo jewellery (from necklaces brooches amp bracelets to ear rings and hair slides) using vintage ceramics I break vintage crockery hand sand it to ensure there are no sharp edges and make the shards into beautiful jewellery
When did your crafting begin and whyI began studying ceramics during my BA Hons degree in Fine Art at The University of Portsmouthwhich is where my obsession for vintage crockery began to grow Initially I began by making newplates and tea cups with vintage shards in but soon the beauty of the ceramic shards startedappealing to me which is when I had the idea of making jewellery out of them - and one day I justdid it and havenrsquot stopped since I just love how the cute patterns really stand out against the silverchain
What was the first item you made to sell online
What is your biggest crafting achievement and why
I think my biggest crafting achievement since starting Laura by The SeaJewellery has to be getting interviewed for the national ldquoMAKE Jewelleryrdquomagazine as their new ldquoIt accessoryrdquo designer I totally didnrsquot expect themto contact me via my Folksy store
Other than crafting what else do you like to do
In my spare time I like to paint I write I stronglybelieve it is the simple things in life that count I am a collectorof anything old with a story and pick up anything found on the seashore First morning sunshine trawling antique treasure troves walks on the sand with my pooch Sepia tones and seeing life through a lens makes me happy I do a photographyfashion blog(laurabytheseatumblrcom) and am a very sociable person These are a fewof my favourite things and yes that should include raindrops on roses andbrown paper packages tied up with string
Where would you like to be in 5 years
In 5 years time I would love to be able to do this on a full time basis tomake enough money to live I am aiming to have my jewellery sold in manyUK wide independent stores and hopefully a few abroad However theultimate dream is to have my jewellery featured in Vogue
The first item I sold online was on my Folksy shop(httpwwwfolksycomshopsLaurabyTheSea) and was a vintage ceramic andbead brooch the buyer was very pleased with it and gave me great feedback
Where does your inspiration come from
My inspiration comes from trawling antique and vintage shops photography (one of my current favphotographers is Elizabeth Sarah from America) and I am always inspired by other people When Iget talking with my friends about anything creative the juices start flowing and I get more designideas I am also inspired and work along with music (anything from RampB amp Hip-hop to Reggae andJazz I have an eclectic mix)
What are your favourite materials and why
Vintage ceramics because I adore the vintage floral prints on the crockeryand like the idea of being as eco-friendly as possible and like to only userecycled materials in my jewellery
What is favourite shop online that isnrsquot yours and why
My favourite online shop has to be Loglike a contemporary gift and home ware store with vintageelements The owner makes cute candlesticks from vintage plates and saucers that look amazing onmy coffee table (see httpwwwfolksycomshopsLoglike)
Has any person helped or supported you more than any other
I would have to say my parents and Brother Not just financially when Iwas a poor struggling student but they are supportive with everything Ido in life and I just couldnrsquot do without them My brother is more like abest friend
Tell us a random fact about yourself
I have 23 dresses in my wardrobe and have a vinyl collection of mostly 1980rsquos music (my guiltypleasure)
httpwwwfolksycomshopsLaurabyTheSea
Visit
Lauraat
in the GardenHi Irsquom Tina
Good to have you visit with me again in The GardenI think we will sit in the conservatory this morning the sun is juststreaming in it is so wonderful to feel the warmth after such a coldwinter I have the kettle on and some little iced biscuits butremember we must not over indulge me especially as I have notbeen working in the garden so much just sitting in doors munching
Well Spring is here at last and it does seem to be in a hurrythis year the crab apple is already in bud and also the fruittrees
I had my own little piece of garden and the plants therewere in my charge if I forgot to water them and theydied mother would say you have to be responsible givethem a little care and you will be rewarded with so muchbeauty and as I look around the garden today thebeauty just takes my breath awayI checked out the herbs after the winter and just look atthis monster itrsquos the parsley how great is this
Here is a photo of the willow catkins or lambs tails as mymother used to call them she was a country woman andknew every wild flower by their old country names sheloved all nature and her garden and was my inspirationfrom an early age
wwwtina-in-the-gardenblogspotcom
Also I think that this flower is really confused it is of coursean antirrhinum when I emptied the summer bedding fromthe tubs some were still fine so I planted them in thegarden and as you can see have been well rewarded Alsosome silver foliage plants which I cannot remember thename of and of course have lost thelabel they seem to think that it isalready summer
At the moment you can get into the bog it does not look half as mysterious as it does inthe summer you can even see the streamMy better half and I have one or two projects this summer well I have theideas and he makes them work howlucky am I So watch this space
Oh you have to leave well thank you again for coming be safe until your next visit withme in The Garden
Your green fingered friendTina
The bluebells are coming throughin the wood not long now beforethey flower they have to hurrybefore the trees get their leaves
Creative CraftingAdvertise with
wwwcreative-craftingcomadvertisehtml
A mouse herecould take customers
to your store
We care about yourcraft business
Prices startfrom
only pound2
There are a lot of different crafts to choose fromThis series of articles will discover some of the more unusual and also some
old world crafts that may have been almost forgotten
This article was created by
The Crystal Ladyhttpwwwmysticearthcouk
Sold by Amazon
Knitting with Dog Hairby Anne Montgomery
Contains easy step-by-step instructions for collecting cleaningstoring and spinning your dogs fur The book includes originalknitting patterns for the novice and the pro - from mittens toshawls to lace collars from your cats hair
How to Knit a Dog Hair Sweater
E-How
The brushed undercoat of a dog is called chiengora and can be used for knittingcrocheting or felting just like lambs wool or other yarn Dogs hair has been used forcenturies for weaving blankets and other coverings Dogs hair is much warmer thanwool Here is how to knit a sweater from dog hair
After the tutorial the writer goes on to leave a warning that dog hair is much warmerthan wool and an entire garment made of dog hair will be too hot to wear
I also found a very fascinating article about a lady called Laurie Moy on the Boulder DailyCamera website
Better a sweater from a dog you know and love than from a sheepyoull never meet
Warp and woof-woof Making clothes out of dog hair
Read more Boulder Daily Camera
This was discovered in an American newspaper by Creative Craftings Tinawe just had to tell you about it
I did some Googling about this and apparently there is quite alot about it I found a tutorial on the popular E-How site
Irsquom sure like me yoursquoll find this quite fascinatingIf any of our spinners out there fancy a go atcreating some yarn from their pooches we wouldlove to see some of the results It is also a greatidea for recycling all of that fluff that you areconstantly sweeping up off your sofa or yourcarpet There really is a use for most things afterall
Salt dough is so quick and easy (and therapeutic) to make endlessly adaptable a joy to sharewith the kids and has the advantage of being made from store-cupboard basics (although youcould make these projects in clay or fimo or even plasticine)The drawbacks are that it takes a while to cookpaintvarnish it will dissolve in wet or very dampconditions and will break if you drop it So allow yourself a couple of days to produce a finishedpiece and varnish thoroughly when decorated to protect against any damage
Making a Batch of Salt Dough
1 Mug of Table Salt2 Mugs of Plain FlourApprox 1 Mug of Tepid Water (Add final frac14 slowly)1 Tablespoon of Olive or Vegetable Oil (Optional)
Mix the flour and salt together in a bowlIf you are using oil (which helps to add elasticity but is optional and not necessary) add it to themug of water Add the water (with or without oil) to the salt and flour mixAdd most of the water stirring into the dry ingredients with a wooden spoon Add the last of thewater carefully as you will need more or less depending on humidity and the gradequality of theflourYou need to add enough to bind the ingredients without making it too sticky Empty onto a lightlyfloured surface and knead for at least ten minutes until the dough is smooth and slightly warm
A Few Tips for Modelling Salt DoughRoll out salt dough onto a lightly floured surface with a floured rolling pin or you could use abottle if you havent got a rolling pin Gently flattening salt dough with the heels of your hands willwork too but keep moving the dough to keep it even and turn it over to the fresh smooth sidejust before you begin cutting shapesKeep the thickness of your pieces under an inch much thicker than this and they wont hardenproperly in the middleUse a sharp knife to cut salt dough shapes but a blunt knife (or the back of a knife) is useful whenmarking lines onto the dough A scalpel or craft knife is best for cutting out intricate shapesUse pastry cutters plasticine moulds forks hair grips scrubbing brushes experiment withanything you have lying around the house
Cooking Salt DoughCook your salt dough pieces slowly in a very low oven The cooler and slower the better to preventdistortion in the cooking process These pieces were cooked at 140275 degrees or Gas Mark 1 forapproximately 2 hours but I often leave them all day in the oven at its lowest setting
Heartmade Gifts
Decorating Salt DoughYou can decorate your pieces before or after the cooking process Try adding food colouringherbs and spices tea or coffee to your dough as you knead it Or try painting your uncooked piecewith an egg wash for a lovely golden glowExperiment with various mediums on cooked pieces Gouache and acrylics work well but posterpaint is fine (if a little limited in colour variation) and you could try chalks felt tips or crayonsUse glue to add decorations including glitter sequins fabric bows tiny scraps of paper etcIts nice to leave the dough perfectly natural sometimes and sometimes a combination of naturaldough and painted areas works very wellVarnish thoroughly Any varnish will work I tend to use a spray varnish as a first coat to set thepaints then I add a few coats of a super store own brand wood varnish (If you need yourfinished piece to be especially waterproof try yacht varnish but be aware that it will tend tochange the colours making them yellowish)Use a small brush to get into all the nooks and crannies and allow each coat to dry thoroughlybefore applying the next one The more coats you apply the better protected your final pieceHowever unvarnished salt dough I have made for personal use (or the odd forgotten piece) hassurvived very well even in a slightly damp old house So dont let a lack of varnish deter you fromtrying salt dough But if you are creating a family heirloom four or five coats of a good varnish willensure it lasts for yearsTry these two Easter projects the ldquoEgg-stra Specialrdquo eggs are very quick and simple enough to dowith small children the primrose basket takes a while and is a little fiddly but well worth tryingand very easy to adapt by choosing your own flower or perhaps some other motif
~ Egg-stra Special Eggs ~
1 Form an egg shape from a small ball of dough by rolling in your hands and pressthis gently onto your baking tray(Its easier to build your salt dough pieces directly onto the tray you will use tocook them rather than try and move them while they are still uncooked I havebuilt my eggs onto the kitchen surface because it will be easier for you to see whatIm doing)
2 Roll out a piece of salt dough and use it to cover the bottom end of youregg like a blanket When you are happy with the position gently lift andrun a wet paintbrush between the two pieces to glue them together
3 Cut out an egg cup shape around your egg
4 Use a damp paintbrush to push the egg cup onto the eggand ensure it sticks
(A damp paintbrush also helps soften edges and blend any creases or cracks)
5 Uncurl an old metal paperclip and push into the dough to form a hangingloop You can use a piece of any wire I try and use paperclips or a piece of wire
coat-hanger as I like to recycle An alternative hanging method is to create a smallhole (or two holes for larger pieces) and thread a ribbon or piece of leather shoelacethrough the hole tying it to make a loop)
6 Cut out a small bow shape from a piece of flattened dough
7 Cut two ribbon ends from a rectangle of flattened dough
8 Use a wet paintbrush to layer the ribbon ends onto thetop of your egg
9 Attach the bow in position And add a small piece to the centre ofthe bow to finish
10 Cook
11 Decorate in whatever way takes your fancy hellip have fun
~ Primrose Basket ~
1 Cover a bowl in greaseproof paper and turn upside down onto your baking tray
2 Roll out some dough to approx 5mm thickness and cut into thin stripslong enough to cover your bowl
3 Lay four of these strips across the bottom ofyour bowl
4 Begin weaving four in the opposite direction by gently liftingalternate strips out of the way laying the cross strip and replacingthe lifted strips
5 Then add one strip to each side until you reach the edge of the bowl
6 Trim the edge with a knife or fold the stripsback to form a rough bowl lip You can indentsomething on the dough to secure anddecorate
7 Cook
8 Carefully remove the bowl and paper
9 Make primrose flowers and leaves and glue them to the rim with a wetpaintbrush replacing your bowl in the oven for a short whileLeaves ndash cut rough leaf shapes out of a piece of flatted dough and mark theveins and indent the edges with the back of a knifeFlowers ndash use a small heart cutter to cut 5 heart shapes and place on the rim with pointstogether indenting the centre with your fingertip and then marking with the end of a paintbrushPaint with whichever medium you prefer or have to hand I have used acrylics here leaving thebasket natural and painting the primrose leaves green and the flowers yellow adding someorange to the centres of the flowers while the yellow is still damp for a blurred effect
This article was written by Diannefrom Heartmade Gifts
Join Heartmade Gifts on Facebook
wwwheartmadegiftswordpresscom
Lilac Lace Heart LocketJewellery by Bina
Vintage Victorian StyledSweetheart Locket
Miss Bohemia
pound17
pound15
Emerald Bewitched
youmin
$40
The Bright Forest Locket
marisolspoon
$35
Cameral Locket
mydogandi
$2750
Creative CraftingFavourite
This article was created by
The Crystal Ladyhttpwwwmysticearthcouk
Lockets may sound very old fashioned but if you have a wander through thehandmade sites you will find a wealth of very modern and extremely beautifuldesigns Perfect for you to carry your loved ones with you wherever you go
Bee Joyful LocketThe Whimsical Wren
pound10
SteampunkWatch Mechanism
Locketedmdesigns
$85
Luscious LocketsLuscious Lockets
Who likes Chocolate CakeThis is a great recipe for Easter Mothers day or any other daylets admit it we all love chocolate
Ingredients
7 oz self raising flour8 oz caster sugar1 teaspoon of salt2 tablespoons of cocoa powder4 oz margarine2 eggs beaten with5 tablespoons evaporated milk5 tablespoons water1 teaspoon vanilla essence
1 Sift together flour sugar and salt and cocoa2 Rub in margarine3 Stir in eggs essence and liquids then beat well4 Grease and flour 2 8 inch cake tins divide the mixture between them5 Bake in a moderate over 325-350 F gas mark 3 about 35 minutes6 When cold sandwich together and cover in milk chocolate icing
Milk chocolate Icing
Ingredients
2 and a half oz margarine or butter4 tablespoons cocoa8 oz sieved icing sugar3 tablespoons hot milk1 teaspoon vanilla essence
Melt the margarine or butter and blend incocoa powder then stir in icing sugar milkand vanilla essence Beat until smooth andthick
We hope you all enjoy the recipe we would love to see anypictures of chocolate cakes that you make
Instructions
Instructions
Written and reviewed by Peggyrsquos Knitshttppeggyscollectionwebscom
By Sprinkles Sparkleshttpwwwsprinklessparklescouk
All prices are correct at the time of publication
Budget amp LuxurySpring special
Woodland DaffodilsCharm Bracelet
Coco Angel Rosepound1600
Spring Flower Hair ClipFlutter2me
pound450
Spring flowers broochDi Does Craft
pound800
Pink Spring Clutchfunky diva designs
pound1750
Cupcake BuntingCotton Cottage
pound1650
Purple TulipsWildrose Ridge
pound350
Chickadees and LilacsStained Glass WindowStained Glass Addie
pound4940
The Charlotte - SageRosalind Jamespound14500
Springtime 16 Crayon RollApple n Amos
pound509
Buttercup earrings in softyellow with peridot and brass
Goblins Marketpound401
Springtime DalaFolk Horse HangingDecoration - YellowCourt and Spark
pound400
D A P H N E - BrokenChina Plate Pendant
and Sterling Silver NecklaceDesigns by Mila
pound2228
To make the leaves
Using DK yarn and 300 mm hook make 5 leaves as follows
Rnd 1 9ch dc in 2nd ch 1htr in next ch 1tr in each of next 6ch 3ch ss in base of last tr worked
Now work on opposite side of stitches by turning the work
Rnd 2 3ch 1tr in each of next 6ch 1htr in next ch dc ss in top of first stFasten off and sew in loose ends
Materials
Small quantity of DK yarn I have used a yarn with awool-mix but any DK yarn of your choice will be suitableSmall quantity of kid mohair yarn (use two strands together)300 mm hook200 mm hookOne large buttonBrooch pinSewing needle
To make the small rose
Using a 200 mm hook and working two strands of kid mohair yarn together 13ch
Rnd 1 1tr 2ch 1tr in 4th ch (skip 2ch 1tr 2ch 1tr in next ch) 3 times (4 v- spaces)
Rnd 2 3ch 6tr into next v-space 1dc into space between v-spaces Continue with 6tr into eachv-space and 1dc in between spaces until end ss into last ch Fasten off
Roll the work with fingers from start to finish to create a small rose flower and sew together at thebase
Assembling the brooch
Turn the flower so the right side is facing up and sew the button in the centre of the flowerAttach the rose to the centre of the button as shown in diagram Sew a brooch pin to the back of theflower to complete the brooch
Arrange the 5 leaves to form a circle so thecorners of the leaves are touching Sew eachcorner together to form the petals of aflower
Turn the work so the wrong side is facing upand close the hole by sewing together withthe same DK yarn used to make the leaves
Crochet Flower Brooch
ch - chain stitchdc - double crochethtr - half treble crochetss - slip stitchtr - treble crochetst - stitch
Crochet Mobile PhoneiPod Cosy
Materials
50g Dk yarn in mustard colourSmall quantity of DK yarn in bright pink for picot edgingof cosy and small roseSmall quantity of DK yarn in sage green for leaves of roseflowerSize 300mm hook
Instructions for the cosy
The cosy can be made to fit a mobile phoneiPod of your choice
Pattern note the pattern is worked in dc throughout and worked in the round using the tapestrycrochet method of crochet This involves carrying a second yarn below the first making it verystrong
Foundation row
Using one strand of DK yarn in mustard make a chain that measures the width of your mobilephoneipod
Rnd 1 dc across row until the last chain 2dc in last chain Turn work
Rnd 2 Begin to carry a second strand of mustard yarn throughouteach round and every round from now on This yarn is not worked butcarried below the first strand of yarn
Work along the opposite side of the row just worked 1dc in first ch1ch in each chain until the last chain 2dc in last chain Now mark thelast stitch just worked with a different colour yarn so you can see theend of the round and keep moving this marker up to the last stitchworked
Rnd 3 Dc in each chain around working in spirals moving the stitchmarker as the piece grows Continue until the work measures thedesired length to fit the mobileiPod Fasten off and tie in loose ends
ch - chain stitchdc - double crochethtr - half treble crochetss - slip stitchtr - treble crochetst - stitch
Instructions for rose flower
Rnd 1 Using DK yarn in bright pink 1tr 2ch 1tr in 4th ch (skip 2ch1tr 2ch 1tr in next ch) 3 times (4 v- spaces)
Rnd 2 3ch 6tr into next v-space 1dc into space between v-spacesContinue with 6tr into each v-space and 1dc in between spaces untilend ss into last ch Fasten off
Roll the work with fingers from start to finish to create a small rose flower and sew together at thebase
Instructions for leaves
Using DK yarn and 300mm hook make 2 leaves as follows
Rnd 1 5ch dc in 2nd ch 1htr in next ch 1tr in each of next 2ch 3ch ss in base of last tr workedNow work on opposite side of stitches by turning the work
Rnd 2 3ch 1tr in each of next 2 ch 1htr in next ch dc ss in top of first st Fasten off and sew inloose ends
Assembly
Sew the leaves to the reverse of the rose and attach to the cosy as shown in the picture
Picot edging
Rnd 1 Using DK yarn in bright pink dc into each stitch around the edge of the cosy opening ss tofirst dc
Rnd 2 3ch ss into 2nd chain from hook ss into base of 3ch dc into next 2ch 3ch continuefrom to ss into last ch Fasten off and sew in loose ends
Written by Andrea Lesley Crochethttpwwwfolksycomshopsandrealesleycrochet
Materials
T - shirt - colour your choiceScissorsChainSewing needle and threadCorsage or embellishments
Step 1 First get a plain whitet-shirt
Step 2 Then cut off the neck Step 3 Now sew two pieces of chain to each side of where theneckline should be
Step 4 Cut a triangle out ofthe bottom of the t-shirt
Step 5 Tie the two ends thatare left into a knot or bow
Step 6 Finally add a corsageor flower to the front
Step 7 Now you have a bang on trend crop top simply wear over a vest top I loved designing andgokking up this t-shirt it took minutes and didnt cost a lot either
Corsage made by Madam SalamihttpwwwetsycomshopMadamSalami
Written By Heidi Jackson
Favourite finds from around the crafting communityThis months focus is Easter and Spring
Click on the images to take you to their store
Online StreetMISI
Ring With A FlowerBlue Fish Handmade
pound800
Spring necklace in glassand sterling silver
RosieJo Jewellerypound1275
Easter Eggs CardNaomi Constable
pound250
FOLKSY
Easter rabbit cushionwith choccie eggs
Phoebelinas Treasurespound500
Easter Knitted BagsFluerette
pound300
Small Gorgeous FeltSpring Bouquets
Spare Minute Productionspound2000
WOW THANK YOU
Green And Brown PetalFlower Bracelet
Sprinkles Sparklespound3750 inc pampp
Handmade Pink Canvas Wall Art(Set of 3)
Craft on Canvaspound3900 inc pampp
Blue Easter ChickDharmapaintings
pound12 20 inc pampp
All prices correct at the time of publication
Favourite finds from around the crafting communityThis months focus is Easter and Spring
Click on the images to take you to their store
Best PicksUGLY BE GONE
Handpainted DottyDolly Pegs
Ticketty Boopound650
Quirky Motifs ShopperRachael Taylor
pound1500
Collette the Cow BibBaby Boutique
pound1100
The Cutie Pie - recycledpaper butterfly shadow boxThe WingSpan Collection
pound6421
Easter 1 Square PendantHappy Easter Spring Flowers
Miss Gooseberry Pendantspound321
ETSY
RETROEasterplastic springfling daisy clip-on earringsamber brown makes art
pound208ARTFIRE
Easter Egg Mini Cards 2x2 6Peculiar Parchment
pound170
Spring Chicks - Little FusedGlass Dish - Easter Gift
First Light Glasspound926
4 Chocolate Easter ParadeBunny Lollipops extra large
Candy Cottagepound741
All prices correct at the time of publication
What you will need3 x 10 inch lengths of purple Cylon cord10mm silver plated lobster clasp and clasp tag2 x silver plated fold over necklace endsApprox 24 Rose Quartz gemstone chip beads(holes need to be large enough to thread onelength of the cylon cord though)2 x 4mm silver plated jump rings
Rose Quartz is the stone of unconditionalloveIt purifies and opens the heart helping thewearer to love themselves as well as others
Rose Quartz draws off negative energy andhelps release unexpressed emotions
Encourages self forgiveness and acceptanceaids self trust and self worth
I find it easier to use a macrame board for making this type of bracelet as it make it easier tokeep the design neat but its not essential I use a simple board made from a cork notice boardand pins I also use nylon nosed pliers to fold over the necklace ends as I find metal pliers oftenleave marks but again they arent essential
Step 2 Thread a chip bead onto each of the outer lengths ofcord
Step 3 Cross the outer cordsover the middle one as youwould in a braid Then braid thecords again
Step 1 Attach one of thenecklace ends to one end ofthe three lengths of CyloncordYou can then use the hole inthe end to attach the braceletto your board
Make a Rose Quartz Bracelet
Step 6 Attach the secondnecklace end to the three cordwithout cutting them as it makesit easier The ends can then betrimmed with a craft knife orsharp scissors
Step 7 Using the jump ringsattach the clasp to one end ofthe bracelet and the clasp tagto the other
Step 4 Thread two chip beadson to the new outer lengths ofcord and braid as in the previousstep
Step 5 Repeat step three and four untilthe bracelet reaches seven inchesor your desired length
(The clasp section will measureapproximately one inch)
If the cord ends become frayed they canbe fixed with a little super glue
Step 8 And there you areOne finished rose quartzbracelet
Would you like to share a craft project with Creative Crafting
Let us know what project you would like toshare with us
Anything from jewellery knitting and crochetcrafts paper crafts or a craft you feel hasbeen forgotten about
Email thecrystalladycreative-craftingcom
Written by Elderberry Artshttpwwwelderberryartscouk
To those who are not yet aware Prince William and Kate Middleton will tie the knot this month onFriday 29th April in a quiet little ceremony at Westminster Abbey To some this may mean getting aday off to celebrate the nuptials or actually attend the whole affair To others like myself who areself-employed there will be no day off and hence little difference from a normal day but we can stillbe happy for the two love birds entering a state of marital bliss for the first timeIn these uncertain economic times I am not sure how the Royal Wedding will affect the economyhow much money will people want to spend Will this mean street parties like those that dominatemany peoplersquos memories from Prince Charles and Dianarsquos wedding back in 1981 Will there be arush to purchase ridiculously crass lsquosouvenirrsquo mugs plates tea towels or will the market just not bethere at all with all the unsold Royal Wedding goods in the pound shops by JuneThe handmade and crafting sector needs to be aware of the sales potential created by this Royalevent and so products should be made available to support the celebrations and possibly make thecountry feel good about itself again Maybe a lovely warm spring day in April will be good for thecountry and make it forget its economic woes for a few hoursWe asked a number of our sellers about their experience of the last big Royal Wedding (Charles andDiana) and what they are going to do this time to celebrate There were mixed feelings ndash manywere too young to remember much about the 1981 event and even though I remember a day offfrom school I cannot remember any street parties or spontaneous Mardi Gras This time around Ithink money will be a big factor and most people will not stray too far from a bit of home baking inred white and blue and also a show of patriotic bunting Union Jacks are quite the lsquoin thingrsquo at themoment for interior design and so a patriotic statement may double as being hip and trendy
Kim Lampard of Zigzag Bunting thinks a great way tocelebrate the Royal Wedding is to make your own buntingShe suggests pulling together a pile of fabrics that you nolonger need but that hold cherished memories for you forexample your daughterrsquos first cute dress a tea-towel youbought on a special holiday an old bedspread made by your
Granny Even if the items are damaged so cannot be passed on to others there is always a littlecorner that can be cut up into a triangle to make a bunting flag Mix a few of these together and ifyou have enough for a colour scheme (such as red white and blue) fine but donrsquot worry the flagsdonrsquot even need to be the same size Sometimes a shabby chic lsquoMix and Matchrsquo approach turns outto be perfect Sew the fabric triangles onto a piece of ribbon or bias tape and you will have awonderful string of bunting to decorate for the special day You and your family will remember notonly the Royal Wedding when you bring out that bunting but have extra glimpses of their past inthe fabrics Definitely a memento to cherish
Gaye Weekes of A amp V Designs now lives in Snowdonia North Wales and onlyan hour away from Anglesey where the Royal couple will begin their marriedlife She has no doubt had that His Highness has been hovering over theirremote valley in his helicopter over recent months Gaye plans to be flying redwhite and green Welsh bunting for the wedding Her bunting is made fromvintage fabric from the 1950s and 1960s - a cotton heavy woven greenand cream floral and a jolly red and white gingham She adds ldquo
rdquo
This article was written by
from
httpwwwwowthankyoucouk
Karine Ait-Mohamed of The Pink Fairy Cake isFrench but now lives in England She says ldquo
rdquo In the spirit of the occasion Karinehas produced a product that combines both England and France into the celebration Shehas produced sets of two Union Jack hearts filled with lavender from Chateau la Gabelle inHaute-Provence
Lisa MacDonald of LisaMollyMacDonaldis quite enthusiastic about the weddingand getting caught up in the glamour of the
occasion ldquo
rdquo
Lou Carswell of Loubie Jewels has some prettyfantastic red white and blue jewellery which wouldbe suitable for a Royal wedding celebration She told
us ldquo
rdquo
So what can we gather from these observations It will be a nice idea to celebrate the RoyalWedding If we apply a little lsquowartimersquo austerity (handmade lends itself to recycling andupcycling) we shouldnrsquot have to spend a fortune We can step back from commercialism andbe involved in a low key but meaningful way that will make the event more memorable for itssimplicity and just a little thrift God Bless William and Kate
Tell us about yourself
My name is Sandra Ritchie I live in Cleethorpes UK with my husbandJason my 10 year old daughter Alisha my 2 year old son Alfred andour dog Dumbledore Primarily I am a housewife but in my sparetime I make jewellery of all kinds from beaded pieces to metal workbut mainly I make custom-made bespoke precious metal jewellery
When did your crafting begin and why
Many years ago I studied Jewellery and Metal Art at college andover time Ive collected the tools I needed but never got round tosetting up a workroom until 2009 when my Husband pointed outthat our Utility Room would be perfect for me to set up as aworkroom to start making jewellery again It seemed ideal Ialready had people interested in me making them some jewelleryand it meant I could stay at home and look after the children as wellas try to establish a name for myself as a Jewellery designermaker
What was the first item you made to sell online
The first item I made to sell whilst not specifically to sell online was asilver octopus necklace commissioned by an acquaintance of mine thathad seen the silver octopus necklace that I made for myself whilst atcollege and wanted one like it She has since purchased the silver andcopper entwined Dragon necklace and a commissioned silver Dragonand is back on my list for another piece to be made My number onefan I think
What is your biggest crafting achievement and why
I love all the pieces Ive created especially my Custom work but myfavourite piece of all is the Greenman necklace I was approached tomake something as a surprise for someone and was basically giventhe opportunity to produce something different to my usual pieces Ilove making pieces that are based on peoples ideas of what theywant that is really special but the Greenman necklace was mydesign based on what the customer wanted it to represent I had toteach myself etching for the piece as its something Id never learntand Im really pleased with how it worked out
Other than crafting what else do you like to do
I love spending time with my children and family I love baking andcooking too and I suppose I should admit to enjoying the oddrelaxing glass (or bottle) of nice wine when the children are in bed
wwwlittlefairycultcouk
Where would you like to be in 5 years
In 5 years time Id love to be in a better financial position so I canbuy silver and make silver jewellery to sell that isnt just Custom-made Ive started sneaking a few pieces of precious metal jewellerythat are for general sale onto my site
Where does your inspiration come from
My inspiration is usually from the customers themselves They tell mewhat it is they want and I design a piece to reflect that Sometimes theyalter the design slightly to reflect more of how they want it and that isfine For my bead jewellery its usually what beads I have in myworkroom that inspire my beaded pieces I very rarely buy beads for thereason that I have a design idea and usually just buy mixed lots of beadsand work with what I have
What are your favourite materials and why
I really love working with precious metals There is somethinguniquely satisfying about taking a flat sheet of metal and turning itinto a beautiful piece of jewellery Thats why I take pictures of thepieces as I am making them so that other people and the customerwhos item it is can enjoy seeing it progress from a blank piece ofprecious metal into the finished piece
What is favourite shop online that isnrsquot yours and why
Oh my There are so many amazing websites offering beautiful andunique handmade items but I will always take a look at Etsy to see ifthere is anything that catches my eye on there They have such a largevariety of designerssellers making almost everything but the kitchen sink(though I bet if you looked hard enough youd find one on there) Ireally enjoy the little treasuries they do too where you can browse aselection of items that are grouped together by themes
Has any person helped or supported you more than any other
I have had a lot of support from the good friends I have gained on Twitter and of coursemy real life friends have been extremely supportive too but the main reason I actuallysorted out my workroom (or corner of the utility room) was due to my husband insistingthat I start making jewellery again Luckily his insistence and support paid off virtuallystraight away when a friend asked for the octopus necklace I mentioned earlier to bemade
Tell us a random fact about yourself
I have known the sex of each child and whether Id be carrying one or more before I evenconceived them Fairly random but fact nevertheless
Kit includes seed beads 5 x handmade glass beads choker wire x 3 banglewire x 2 ring wire x 3 jewellery pliers beading mat instructions
Makes 8 fabulous and individual pieces of jewellery without the need forfiddly findings books or other money-wasters
Beaded Jewellery Kitpound12Japan Crafts
A coordinating selection of beads plus step-by-step full colour instructions to make your own version of the Jungle Collar design Learn how to work peyote stitch edge it with drops and embellish it with a lush fringe and beaded flowers and leaves Let your beading imagination run wild
Each kit is hand-picked and slightly different so the beads you receive may not be the exact onesshown in the photograph but you can be certain that your necklace will be uniqueThe kit comes carefully packaged in a handy reusable storage box the only things yoursquoll need inaddition are a beading needle a spool of nylon beading thread and some sharp scissors
Beadweaving Kit for Jungle Collar
pound38Lynn Davy
Fairy Earrings Jewellery Making Kit - Ages 7yrs+
pound5Jewellery Making Kits
These single kits are fabulous for all crafty and creative girls They also make great presents for school friends nieces sisters or even grown ups Each kit includes Sterling Silver earwires or studs a small selection of flowers for the skirt a pair of wings a few coloured glass pearls for the heads silver headpin Organza Bag Full set of instructionsSuitable for ages 7 years and up Requires a pair of pliers to finish off - all instructions included
Bracelet Kit - Chunky Swarovski Pearl and Crystal with Toggle Clasp
pound750Wonderstuff Craft Kits
A little kit of bronze Swarovski pearls and Golden Shadow Swarovski crystals silk and toggle clasp
Kit includes 11 x Swarovski 12mm Pearls Colour - Soft Bronze 3 x Swarovski Crystal 8mm Rondelles - Colour - Golden Shadow 8 x Swarovski Crystal 4mmBicones Colour - Light Colorado Topaz 1 x Silver Plated Toggle Bar 1 x Silver plated Toggle RingBracelet length of threading silk Instructions
This kit contains top quality beads to make an exquisite braceletno special tools are needed
Jewellery making kits
from the small crafterWersquove found a selection of wonderful beading kits for allages and experience These are not massed producedsets but offered by the small crafter
This article was created by The Crystal Lady httpwwwmysticearthcouk
This Months
This months lsquoMan of the Monthrsquo is Ade (Adrian)EdmondsonChosen by MegampMillie
This months lsquoLady of the Monthrsquo is GwenStefaniChosen by Claire Pearcy from Elderberry Arts
httpwwwgwenstefanicom
httpwwwunrealitytvcouklets-dance-for-comic-relieflets-dance-for-comic-relief-results-ade-edmondson-and-eighties-super-group-make-next-weeks-final
(Nothing like an April Fools)
This months lsquoBlog of the Month Awardrsquo goes to lsquoItrsquos All Fiddle Fartrsquo
httpitsallfiddlefartblogspotcom
This months lsquoShop of the Month Awardrsquo goes to lsquoJulias DriftwoodFurniturersquo
httpwwwfolksycomshopsseasandview123
ww
wc
reativ
e-cr
afting
co
mw
ww
cr
eative-c
on
nec
tion
snin
gc
om
CREATIVE CRAFTING
Our next issue will be available to read on
1st June 2010If you have missed any of our issues you
can find them to read on our websitewwwcreative-craftingcom
And also on our Social Network Creative Connectionswwwcreative-connectionsningcom
To advertise in Creative Crafting or to submit an article please contact Annaat thecrystalladycreative-craftingcom
AUGUSTSUMMER 2010
Issue 5
By Crafters for Crafters
Check out our
CraftersDirectory
CREATIVE CRAFTING
By Crafters for Crafters
Issue 3
ValentinesMothers Day 2010
HandcraftedWeddingSpecial
Valentine ampMothers Day
Projects
Have youbeen
featured
By Crafters for Crafters
Issue 3ValentinesMothers Day 2010
Handcrafted
Wedding
SpecialValentine amp
Mothers Day
ProjectsHave you
been
featured
By
EASTER 2010
Issue 4
FATHERS DAY 2010
Issue 4
By Crafters for Crafters
Ch
eck out our
Craft
ersDirectory
AUGUSTSUMMER 2
010
Issu
e 5
By Craf
ters fo
r Craf
ters
Chec
k out our
Crafters
Directory
CREATIVE
C
RAFTINGAU
TUM
N H
ALLO
WEE
N 201
0Is
sue
7
CREA
TIVE
CRAF
TIN
G
By Craf
ters f
or C
rafter
s
Chec
k
out our
Craft
ersDirect
ory
An
niv
ersa
ry
Issu
e
Donrsquot forget
All of our links andadverts are fullyclickable
If you would like to embed our magazine into your website blog myspace page etc you can
customise the code to suit your style and size
AUTUMN HALLOWEEN 2010
Issue 7CREATIVE CRAFTING
By Crafters for Crafters
Check out our
CraftersDirectory
Anniversary
Issue
CHRISTMAS 2010
Issue 8
By Crafters for Crafters
FATHERS DAY 2010
Issue 4
By Crafters for Crafters
Check out our
Crafters
Directory
EASTER 2010
Issue 4
By Crafters for Crafters
By Crafters for Crafters
VALENTINES 2011Issue 9
CREATIVE CRAFTING
If you would like to be featured in our directory please visit our website
Crafterrsquos DirectoryThe perfect place to find beautiful gifts
Handcrafted items are becoming a popular alternative to mass produced itemsLovingly created and often surprisingly inexpensive
Click on the links to visit a world of beautiful craft shops
Averilpam Design Handcrafted one of a kind jewellery and bags Folksy
Designs By Isis Beautiful and unique handmade jewellery waiting for you to treatyourself Website
Elderberry Arts Hand crafted unique and uncommon silver gemstone glass gay andbisexual jewellery Website
Enigma Jewellery Unusual handmade jewellery amp gifts using Sterling Silver Hill TribeSilver Swarovski Crystals - most items are one off designs Folksy
Kokokelli Gorgeous Handmade Jewellery amp Greeting Cards at affordable prices Folksy
LauraFaye Crafts Eclectic gorgeous bright and contemporary - beaded jewellery andgifts resin jewellery polymer clay pieces cards and artwork Website
Madam CC Something old Something new Folksy
Mystic Earth Gemstone Healing Jewellery personal matching service available Website
Pretty Beautiful Designs byMaria
Unique handmade jewellery necklaces bracelets and earrings perfectfor every occasion from everyday to a big night out Website
RastafairyMalaika Beautifully crafted macrame jewellery with semi-precious stonesComissions taken Etsy
Rosie-Jo High quality handmade beaded jewellery featuring sterling silver semiprecious stones glass wood felt porcelain and tensha beads Misi
Snow Queen Trinkets Kiln Fused Dichroic Glass Jewellery Folksy
Sprinkles Sparkles Bespoke Handmade Jewellery and Accessories Website
The Jewellery Angel Cute Colourful and Kitsch Jewellery Folksy
The Vintage Jewellery Box Hand-designed vintage-inspired jewellery with a modern twist offering afresh alternative to girls who like to wear something a bit different Website
Neate Crafts Painting Knitting Pyrography amp lots more Misi
Painted Ghost Handmade accessories for baby and child home of the Bibbla Website
Crafterrsquos DirectoryThe perfect place to find beautiful gifts
Handcrafted items are becoming a popular alternative to mass produced itemsLovingly created and often surprisingly inexpensive
Click on the links to visit a world of beautiful craft shops
SudrsquonrsquoSoothe Juice Bar just got a new meaning Website
Radiance Crystals Bespoke Bridal and Occasion Jewellery Website
All things Nice The home of unique affordable arts and crafts Folksy
Diomo Glass A range of Stained Glass Gifts by a Stained Glass Artist I recycle glass tocreate gifts and other novel little items of interest fun and meaning Folksy
FloralGifts4U Beautiful floral gifts for all occasions Sock posies are our speciality Website
Lemonade and Lamingtons Homewares amp accessories fresh amp exciting Folksy
Ragtag Rugs Handmade rugs from recycled textiles Folksy
Court amp Spark Handmade Textiles by Phillippa Harding An original range ofDecorations Soft Furnishing Cards amp Gifts with a VintageRetro Twist Website
Dab and a Dash Unique handmade JournalsNotebooks Fabric covers and stitchedbinding Folksy
Kelso Kreations Handmade Gifts for that special occasion Folksy
Little ScruffsMiniature Mohair Artist Bears with loads of character Vintage style collectable Website
Moody Cow Designs Unique handmade handbags and accessories Folksy
pipdesigns Ipad Covers Purses Handbags - Designer amp Funky Fabrics Folksy
Wraggamuffins Handmade chocolate truffles a perfect Valentines gift to show someonehow much you love them Website
If you would like to be featured in our directory please visit our website
Ann Chandler Originals Unique bags and accessories in unusual fabrics including vintagekimono silks funky cotton prints and upcycled clothing Folksy
Off With Her Head Vintage Inspired Millinery hats and fascinators based on originalvintage designs illustrations and photographs and custom designs Website
Crafterrsquos DirectoryThe perfect place to find beautiful gifts
Handcrafted items are becoming a popular alternative to mass produced itemsLovingly created and often surprisingly inexpensive
Click on the links to visit a world of beautiful craft shops
Beads4Breakfast Artisan lampwork beads made in my kitchen studio Commissions taken Website
The Little Bead Box Beautiful Beads and Jewellery Supplies Folksy
UK Craft Store Novelty buttons and more Website
Abstract Cat Crafts Colourful high quality hand-dyed and hand-painted knitting yarn Website
Andrea Lesley Crochet Beautiful handmade crochet gifts Folksy
Joyknitt Joyknitt Knits Misi
NOfkants Curios Hand Knitted and Crocheted Unique Handbags Folksy
Peggyrsquos Knits Quality knitted items Website
Wharfedale Woolworks Hand painted yarns and custom knits Folksy
Creative CraftingAdvertise with
wwwcreative-craftingcomadvertisehtml
A mouse here could take customersto your store
We care about yourcraft business
Prices startfrom only pound2
The Broken Doll Unique greeting cards and gifts from The Doll for that something a littlebit different Folksy
Di saw it first craftreviews
Thank you to everyone that has sent in items for the review Such gorgeous handmade giftsThere really are many very talented people out there
All of these items are going to be able to be won by one of our lucky readers Could it be you
Delightful canvas personalised bag and hair accessoriesSo well made and presented gorgeously These would makesuch a good gift for any little girl Beautiful detail and somany choices of what to buy The details on them areexceptionalwwwjaydesignshairclipscouk
Gorgeous hand made beaded bracelet with little pink bowsso well made and would compliment any outfit
Has so many gorgeous pieces in her shop something foreveryone Comes in a gorgeous little organza bag packagedbeautifullywwwmychicuniqueetsycom
Handmade gorgeous card called Moonlit Bay This card isso stunning the details that have gone into it really show
A very professional finish and hand signed by the artistMimi who is based in Cornwall Mini makes some gorgeousitems and it is so nice to have her Cornwall influencesinspiring her artworkwwwartbymimicouk
This is a stunning necklace made with lampwork beads and Swarovskicrystalspearls and glass bicones with glass seed beads The coloursare amazing and really stand out
Packaged in a beautiful aqua organza bag to compliment thenecklace This would be a great gift for anyone and I am sure youwould get so many compliments from wearing thiswwwscottishprincesscouk
Di saw it first craftreviews
Recycled fabric notebookjournal has 3 pages and is A5 size with2 decorative pagesThe front page also has a pretty nameplate with 3D flowers on it
Made very well and would be an absolutely wonderful gift for any one to receive regardless of their age Although it is unsuitable for very young children due to the decorative disc on the front cover My nieces both loved this notebook and I am sure it would be a great gift for little girls and a very special keepsake book
wwwfolksycomshopsdabdash
Nursing necklace from a company called Booby and The BeadsAbsolutely stunning colours and made very well Pinks and reds reallycompliment each other Packaged in a beautiful pink organza bag
A great idea for a present for any ladyhttpwwwfacebookcompagesBooby-The-Beads-Nursing-Necklaces-Reminder-Bracelets -more157477778613
Lovely handmade bookmark made with material andcharms So different and would make an excellentgift Never seen a bookmark with so much detail onBefore
Gorgeous handmade charm packaged and has so muchdetail on it This would be perfect on your bag or keys and Iam sure everyone would ask where you bought it from Bothpackaged beautifullywwwd-k-designscouk
You could win all these goodies by entering our giveaway
Just enter you name and email address to be in fora chance of winning all these handmade gifts
wwwcreative-craftingcomgiveawayhtml
Closing date for entries is 31st May 2011
Written and reviewed by Peggyrsquos Knitshttppeggyscollectionwebscom
Make this simple striking necklace using beadedheadpins and chain to add a bold statement
to your favourite outfit
MaterialsI used Beads Unlimited products in the following quantities tocomplete the jewellery set -
100g x high quality glass mix pink tones (GLXH22)1 x 40 mm silver foil flat round lime green (GLCN4028)50 cm x heavy chain ( sold per meter) silver plated (CHHSP)2 x (1 pack of 10) 8 mm jump ring silver plated (JR8SP)1 x pack of 100 headpins silver plated (HPSP)2 x (1 pack of 6) long ballwires silver plated (LBWSP)1 x (1 pack of 12) eyepins silver plated (EPSP)1 x trigger clasp silver plated (TRGSP)You will also need a pair of multi pliers (CRMT)
Step 1 Thread thelime green beads ontoan eyepinWith the round nosedpart of the pliers bendthe eyepin into a loopdonrsquot close it yet
Step 2 Measure andCut 28 cm and 12 cmof chainAttach one length toeach eye on the beadedeyepin and close theloop
Step 3 Thread a beadof your choice from thepink mix onto a headpinTrim the headpin 1 cmabove the beadsAttach to the chain linknext to the lime greenbeads Close the loop
Gemma is inspired by everything around her from colourand form to the materials she uses and by using manytraditional techniques with contemporary ideas she createsjewellery with her individual style
Make your ownStriking Necklace and Earrings
Step 4 Continue to addbeads from the pink mixin the way to create atapered look on each sideThe shorter length of chainshould be beaded along 5 cmand the longer length 14 cm
Step 5 Attach and 8 mmjump ring to one and of thenecklace ends and a jumpring with a trigger clasp tothe other
Finished necklace
To make the earringsCut a 5 cm length of chain Attach a long ballwire to one end and bead inthe same way as the necklace Make sure you attach a bead to the endlineRepeat to make a pair
Designed by Gemma fromwwwbeadsunlimitedcouk
This necklace and earring set could be yoursVisit wwwcreative-craftingcomgiveawayto enter
Competition end date is -31st May 2011
Beautiful Jewellery to helpyou through life
wwwmysticearthcouk
These pieces of unique jewellery makethe perfect gift for a loved one or a much
needed treat for yourself
MYSTIC EARTH
Have you ever thought ofhaving a piece of
Gemstone and CrystalHealing Jewellery Created
lsquojust for yoursquoEach stone matched to your needs
The Crystal Lady at Mystic Earthcan offer you this service
Quality KnittedItems
httpwwwpeggyscollectionwebscom
PeggyrsquosCollection
Made with love and care
Mother Nature has provided us withwonderful Healing Gemstones and Minerals
PeridotFor this Issue discover the beauty of
(MgFe)2(SiO4)+AlCaMnNiCoCrTi
If you would likemore information about
Crystal Healing Jewelleryyou can contact
The Crystal Lady atthecrystalladymysticearthcouk
httpwwwmysticearthcoukor visit
In the Middle Ages Peridot was employed for warding off evil spiritsand to bestow wisdom and friendship
Mentally -Dissolves oppressive feelings that arise from self-blameAllows us to forgive ourselves
Physically - Peridot has a strong detoxifying effect and stimulates the liverEnhances the liver and gallbladder helps with skin problems even warts
Chakra - Heart Solar Plexus
Peridot Mini Hair Comb
pound14
Lime Crush
pound35Victorian Sterling Silver
Peridot Ring
$38
Chocolate Pearl and PeridotNecklace
$78Jasper Peridot Rhyolite
and Pearl Necklace
pound45
Peridot Chip Bracelet
pound7
As a woman in the UK today if you attend a wedding or the races andparticularly if you are lucky enough to go to Ladies Day at Royal Ascotthen it is usually expected that you should wear a hat or nowadaysa fascinator
If you want to get ahead get a hat
People have always worn hats in someform whether as a protective head covering oras a mark of status within society hats have alwayshad their place In the 15th century it was expectedthat women keep their hair covered wearing veilsand wimples and refashioned male hats were alsopopular
But it was not until the 17th century that womenrsquosheadwear began to take the familiar shape that it does today Bonnetsbecame increasingly popular and at times could be extremely elaboratetrimmed with ribbons lace and feathers
The term lsquomillinerrsquo meaning a maker of womenrsquos hats refers to products derived from Milan andNorthern Italy such as the straws and ribbons used in the making of hats
The haberdashers who imported of these products were known as lsquoMillanersrsquo from which we getthis term The first use of the term in the UK was in the 1700rsquos
Hats were extremely popular at the turn of the 20th century not only forspecial occasions Victorian hats were large brimmed and ornatelydecorated with flowers feathers ribbons and beads The austerity of theSecond World War led to their eventual decline as an everyday pieceof a womanrsquos wardrobe
Nowadays hats and the ever popular fascinator are seeing a resurgencenot in the least thanks to the influences of women such as Sarah JessicaParker Paloma Faith and of course Kate Middleton
Choosing a hat or fascinator needs careful consideration Height faceshape and personality all play a part in shaping your decision A boldfascinator is a statement piece and is certainly not for the shy
Everyone can wear some type of hat or fascinator its just a matter of finding the right one to suityou
There are some amazing British professional milliners working today not least including thelikes of Stephen Jones and Phillip Treacy but you will also find in the UK some wonderful millinersselling their designs on Etsy each producing unique designs to put the perfect finish to any outfitwhatever the occasion
Off With Her Head is run by self taught designer and milliner Lisa Poolewhose designs are fuelled by a love of vintage fashion and moviecostumes
Based in Fife Scotland she prides herself on creating each piece by handand loves to create bespoke pieces for her customers
Off With Her Head focuses on creating vintage inspired pieces andalthough Lisa creates hats and fascinators from various eras in historyshe admits to being a little biased towards the 1950rsquos as its her favouritedecade for fashion
Whatever direction Off With Her Head takes the ethos behind the businessremains the same - quality hats and fascinators at a reasonable price
Off With Her Head ndash Vintage Inspired Millinery
Etsy Store httpwwwetsycomshopmadamequeenyWebsite wwwoffwithherheadcouk
Annalisa Maria Millinery
Annalisa of Annalisa Maria Millinery has always adored hats andbeing the type of person who loves to make things she quitenaturally became interested in millinery
Trained at Kensington and Chelsea college famous for itsmillinery alumni where she learnt all the basics of the trade
She now works out of her London home producing beautifulone of a kind hats and head pieces
Etsy Store wwwetsycomshopdesignsbyannalisa
With so much choice there is absolutely no excuse not to finish your outfit with stunning hatfascinator or headpiecehellip and as they say
Written By Lisa PooleFrom Off With Her Headwwwoffwithherheadcouk
Ella Gajewska is a professional milliner working in London Hats are thelove of her life She has been working as a milliner since 1996 thoughher passion for hats started much earlier in her childhood when Ellacreated hats for her dolls to give them a bit more of an extravagantlook
Having achieved success in Poland where she was a milliners ateliermanager and an inspiring teacher for other young milliners she decidedto take her chances in London the world capital of hats
Since 2001 Ella Gajewska has had the chance of working for renownedateliers and milliners Working in England alongside the best designersof various head wear she has had the chance to develop and perfecther skills even more
Ella Gajewska
Etsy Store wwwetsycomshopEllaGajewskaWebsite wwwellagajewskacom
Little Miss B Design
Little Miss B started out making hats and accessories for herselfand friends uninspired by what was available on the high streetShe decided that shersquod like to give a wider audience the chanceto own a unique Little Miss B creation so began her foray intofashion and millinery
Her inspirations comes from days gone by when style andglamour were more apparent and the quality of craftsmanshipwas high From the 1920s to the 1960s vintage to rockabillyLittle Miss B brings it to the present day with a modern twist
Etsy Store httpwwwetsycomshopLittleMissBDesign
Ive always been artistic in one form or another As a child I always paintedand drew a lot At school I did everything from make a wooden fish pencilholder perspex badges pottery and childrens toys I was very into pencildrawings and shading but I loved using watercolour and other textures formy more cartoonManga style art
I was never very good at what back then was deemed the Girlie stuff I wasmore into woodwork and moulding and graphics This is probably what mademe choose my Bachelor of Science Degree in Architectural Technology Formy degree we used a lot of CAD (Computer Aided Design) to design buildings and building materialsWe also had to craft models of some of our own designs with foam board and other materials I wasin my element with this part of the curriculum
The great thing about craftdesignmaking things - whatever you want to call it is that there is a freedom in Art that you do not get anywhere else There is no right and wrong and no rules The rules come later At the point of concept it is just you and your imagination Which is very liberating and also quite scary because we are conditioned to think within the constraints of rules Art has no rules
Dianes Celebrity ChatsOur lovely Di from Peggyrsquos Knits chats to another celebrity about crafting
Tanya has worked on a number of shows the most recent being the character Adele Alfrey in ITVrsquos Emmerdale She has also worked on other familiar shows with awardwinning producers directors and writers She starred in the BBCcomedy Kerching Her first professional role was in Holby CityShe is also an accomplished presenter and budding playwrightTanya is a former student of the National Youth TheatreTanya told me how she has been artistic about how she sees artand her views on crafting
Please all take a look at Tanyarsquos website which ishttpwwwtanyavitalcom
What you will needFleece material - To determine the size needed- measure the circumference of your head(around your ears) and add 12 inch for seamallowance This will be the width and the lengthmeasurement is 20 inchesCotton thread in the same or contrasting colour
Average Head Sizes -
Newborn (6 months and younger)Circumference 14 to 17 inchesCrown 8 to 10 inches
Infant (6 to 12 months)Circumference 16 to 19 inchesCrown 11 to 12 inches
Child (12 months to 3 years)Circumference 18 to 20 inchesCrown 11 to 12 inches
Step 1 Lay out your fleece on a flat surface anddraw out a rectangle using the measurements forthe hat size required This should be 20 inches longand the width will be the circumference measurementof the size hat your making plus 12 inch seamallowance So to make a hat for a child with a headcircumference of 15 inches the width should be15 12 inches
Claire from Elderberry Arts shows us how to make achildrens hat from fleece material
Why not experiment this Easter holiday
Below are easy to follow instructions and a sizing guide
Thin length of fleece approx 12 inches by12 inchRuler or tape measureTailors chalk or penScissorsPinsSewing needles or sewing machine
Elderberrry Arts
Step 4 Place the right sides of the fleecetogether and pin along the length of thematerial Sew along this edge either by handor machine Knot ends and sewing inside thehem You can trim this hem to make it even andneater if needed
Step 5 Turn the hat right side out andarrange it so the seam is in the middleback From the bottom of your hatmeasure the crown length and place thefleece strip under the hat at this point
Step 6 Tie the ends of thestrip together and pull tightto gather hat
Step 7 Now cut the topsection of the hat into stripsapproximately 12 inch wide
Once youve cut all the wayround the strips can be trimmedto shorten them if required
You could also thread plastic ponybeads on some or all of the stripsknotting the bottom to secure them
Step 2 Cut out the rectangleof fleece Then cut a strip 12inches by 12 inch of fleecefrom the leftover material
Step 3 Pin a hem approx12 inch wide across theshorter length of fleece
Sew either by hand or machineKnot ends and sewing insidethe hem
Written by Elderberry Artshttpwwwelderberryartscouk
Rug Making Ragtag RugsWith
Looking for something fabulous to make using all your old T-shirts sweat shirts and other disusedgarments If so this could be the project for you
The craft of making rag rugs is very traditional and dates backto the mid eighteen hundreds itrsquos still very relevant today whatwith the importance of recycling the other great thing aboutit is that the design on the rug can pretty much be whateveryou want it to be - an image of your pet or your house anabstract or geometric design or something floral traditionalhellip itrsquos totally up to you and your imagination
The technique Irsquoll be using for this project is a method calledlsquohookingrsquo which is very simple and produces a soft and hardwearing pile Irsquove tried to keep everything simple and equipment to a minimum so that everyone canhave a go My favourite fabrics to use are the afore mentioned T-shirts and sweat shirts as they frayvery little but most textiles of a medium thickness can be used
MaterialsVirtually any material can be used in a rag rug some materials are easier to work with than othersThe best materials to use for hooking include T-shirts sweat shirts lightweight cottonssynthetics amplightweight woolsynthetic jumpers Fabrics such as heavy weight denim are not suitableFor this project Irsquove used plain fabrics but patterned fabrics can also be used
HookingStep 1 Working with the Hessian design side up poke the hook through the Hessian and grab thestrip of fabric underneath with the hook
Step 2 Pull the end of the strip of fabric up through the Hessian so that you leave a tail of at least1 cm sticking up
Step 3 Move the hook along about half a centimeter poke it back down through the Hessian andpull a loop of fabric up through to the top of the Hessian a loop height of about 1 cm is best thenjust repeat this technique filling in the required area when you reach the end of a fabric strip pullthe end up through the Hessian and trim it so itrsquos the same height as the loopsMake sure your loops are dense enough and you canrsquot see any of the Hessian backing There is noneed to physically fix the loops in place as they will stay put automatically due to the thickness ofThe fabric and the denseness of the loops
What you will needA piece of Hessian measuring 90 cm x 110 cmSelection of fabrics cut into strips measuring1 - 2 cm wide depending on the thickness ofthe fabric and avoid any seamsRug hookDressmakers pinsScissors
Large-eyed needleBall of woolMarker penYard stick metre ruler2 sheets of thin A4 card or a flattened cereal packetCompassPencil
Ragtag Rugs Rug Making Ragtag RugsWith
Step 1 Using the compass and pencildraw two circles measuring 185 cmacross on the sheets of card and cut theseout using the scissors
Step 2 Using the marker pen and metre rule draw a rectangle on the piece of Hessian measuring63 cm x 84 cm leaving a boarder of about 12 cm all the way around the rectangle Divide therectangle into four giving you central lines for the width and length of the rug Place the card spotson the Hessian in the appropriate places and draw around them using the marker pen for the halfand quarter spots fold one of the card templates accordingly and then draw around it Draw in yourdesigns within the spots
Step 3 Fold under the raw edges of the Hessian and stitch with arunning stitch using the large-eyed needle and wool this is to preventthe Hessian fraying selvedge edges can be left as they are
Step 4 Hook in the strips of fabrics filling in the spots first and then thebackground You can either use the design shown here or make up yourown spots and colour scheme
Step 5 When completed lay the rug face down on the floor and turn in a hem of about 6 cms tothe back of the rug and pin it all the way around fold and pin the corners as neatly as possibleSew the hem to the back of the rug with a running stitch using the large-eyed needle and woolVoila You have a rug
wwwfolksycomshopsragtagrugs
Written by Ragtag Rugs
SupplierFor an American Style Rug Hook costing about pound750 and also Hessian go to Fred Aldous CraftSupplies wwwfredaldouscouk
NoteSome people prefer to use a rug making frame which helps to keep the rugsquare but as the rug wersquore making here is fairly small and wersquore keepingthings simple Irsquove dispensed with this
The first item I sold online was on my Folksy shop(httpwwwfolksycomshopsLaurabyTheSea) and was a vintage ceramic andbead brooch the buyer was very pleased with it and gave me great feedback
Tell us about yourselfMy name is Laura and I live by the sea in the East of England Pakefield to be precise I live with my wonderful Brother who is a musician so we have a very creative household and in our bright conservatory I make ldquoLaura by The Seardquo jewellery (from necklaces brooches amp bracelets to ear rings and hair slides) using vintage ceramics I break vintage crockery hand sand it to ensure there are no sharp edges and make the shards into beautiful jewellery
When did your crafting begin and whyI began studying ceramics during my BA Hons degree in Fine Art at The University of Portsmouthwhich is where my obsession for vintage crockery began to grow Initially I began by making newplates and tea cups with vintage shards in but soon the beauty of the ceramic shards startedappealing to me which is when I had the idea of making jewellery out of them - and one day I justdid it and havenrsquot stopped since I just love how the cute patterns really stand out against the silverchain
What was the first item you made to sell online
What is your biggest crafting achievement and why
I think my biggest crafting achievement since starting Laura by The SeaJewellery has to be getting interviewed for the national ldquoMAKE Jewelleryrdquomagazine as their new ldquoIt accessoryrdquo designer I totally didnrsquot expect themto contact me via my Folksy store
Other than crafting what else do you like to do
In my spare time I like to paint I write I stronglybelieve it is the simple things in life that count I am a collectorof anything old with a story and pick up anything found on the seashore First morning sunshine trawling antique treasure troves walks on the sand with my pooch Sepia tones and seeing life through a lens makes me happy I do a photographyfashion blog(laurabytheseatumblrcom) and am a very sociable person These are a fewof my favourite things and yes that should include raindrops on roses andbrown paper packages tied up with string
Where would you like to be in 5 years
In 5 years time I would love to be able to do this on a full time basis tomake enough money to live I am aiming to have my jewellery sold in manyUK wide independent stores and hopefully a few abroad However theultimate dream is to have my jewellery featured in Vogue
The first item I sold online was on my Folksy shop(httpwwwfolksycomshopsLaurabyTheSea) and was a vintage ceramic andbead brooch the buyer was very pleased with it and gave me great feedback
Where does your inspiration come from
My inspiration comes from trawling antique and vintage shops photography (one of my current favphotographers is Elizabeth Sarah from America) and I am always inspired by other people When Iget talking with my friends about anything creative the juices start flowing and I get more designideas I am also inspired and work along with music (anything from RampB amp Hip-hop to Reggae andJazz I have an eclectic mix)
What are your favourite materials and why
Vintage ceramics because I adore the vintage floral prints on the crockeryand like the idea of being as eco-friendly as possible and like to only userecycled materials in my jewellery
What is favourite shop online that isnrsquot yours and why
My favourite online shop has to be Loglike a contemporary gift and home ware store with vintageelements The owner makes cute candlesticks from vintage plates and saucers that look amazing onmy coffee table (see httpwwwfolksycomshopsLoglike)
Has any person helped or supported you more than any other
I would have to say my parents and Brother Not just financially when Iwas a poor struggling student but they are supportive with everything Ido in life and I just couldnrsquot do without them My brother is more like abest friend
Tell us a random fact about yourself
I have 23 dresses in my wardrobe and have a vinyl collection of mostly 1980rsquos music (my guiltypleasure)
httpwwwfolksycomshopsLaurabyTheSea
Visit
Lauraat
in the GardenHi Irsquom Tina
Good to have you visit with me again in The GardenI think we will sit in the conservatory this morning the sun is juststreaming in it is so wonderful to feel the warmth after such a coldwinter I have the kettle on and some little iced biscuits butremember we must not over indulge me especially as I have notbeen working in the garden so much just sitting in doors munching
Well Spring is here at last and it does seem to be in a hurrythis year the crab apple is already in bud and also the fruittrees
I had my own little piece of garden and the plants therewere in my charge if I forgot to water them and theydied mother would say you have to be responsible givethem a little care and you will be rewarded with so muchbeauty and as I look around the garden today thebeauty just takes my breath awayI checked out the herbs after the winter and just look atthis monster itrsquos the parsley how great is this
Here is a photo of the willow catkins or lambs tails as mymother used to call them she was a country woman andknew every wild flower by their old country names sheloved all nature and her garden and was my inspirationfrom an early age
wwwtina-in-the-gardenblogspotcom
Also I think that this flower is really confused it is of coursean antirrhinum when I emptied the summer bedding fromthe tubs some were still fine so I planted them in thegarden and as you can see have been well rewarded Alsosome silver foliage plants which I cannot remember thename of and of course have lost thelabel they seem to think that it isalready summer
At the moment you can get into the bog it does not look half as mysterious as it does inthe summer you can even see the streamMy better half and I have one or two projects this summer well I have theideas and he makes them work howlucky am I So watch this space
Oh you have to leave well thank you again for coming be safe until your next visit withme in The Garden
Your green fingered friendTina
The bluebells are coming throughin the wood not long now beforethey flower they have to hurrybefore the trees get their leaves
Creative CraftingAdvertise with
wwwcreative-craftingcomadvertisehtml
A mouse herecould take customers
to your store
We care about yourcraft business
Prices startfrom
only pound2
There are a lot of different crafts to choose fromThis series of articles will discover some of the more unusual and also some
old world crafts that may have been almost forgotten
This article was created by
The Crystal Ladyhttpwwwmysticearthcouk
Sold by Amazon
Knitting with Dog Hairby Anne Montgomery
Contains easy step-by-step instructions for collecting cleaningstoring and spinning your dogs fur The book includes originalknitting patterns for the novice and the pro - from mittens toshawls to lace collars from your cats hair
How to Knit a Dog Hair Sweater
E-How
The brushed undercoat of a dog is called chiengora and can be used for knittingcrocheting or felting just like lambs wool or other yarn Dogs hair has been used forcenturies for weaving blankets and other coverings Dogs hair is much warmer thanwool Here is how to knit a sweater from dog hair
After the tutorial the writer goes on to leave a warning that dog hair is much warmerthan wool and an entire garment made of dog hair will be too hot to wear
I also found a very fascinating article about a lady called Laurie Moy on the Boulder DailyCamera website
Better a sweater from a dog you know and love than from a sheepyoull never meet
Warp and woof-woof Making clothes out of dog hair
Read more Boulder Daily Camera
This was discovered in an American newspaper by Creative Craftings Tinawe just had to tell you about it
I did some Googling about this and apparently there is quite alot about it I found a tutorial on the popular E-How site
Irsquom sure like me yoursquoll find this quite fascinatingIf any of our spinners out there fancy a go atcreating some yarn from their pooches we wouldlove to see some of the results It is also a greatidea for recycling all of that fluff that you areconstantly sweeping up off your sofa or yourcarpet There really is a use for most things afterall
Salt dough is so quick and easy (and therapeutic) to make endlessly adaptable a joy to sharewith the kids and has the advantage of being made from store-cupboard basics (although youcould make these projects in clay or fimo or even plasticine)The drawbacks are that it takes a while to cookpaintvarnish it will dissolve in wet or very dampconditions and will break if you drop it So allow yourself a couple of days to produce a finishedpiece and varnish thoroughly when decorated to protect against any damage
Making a Batch of Salt Dough
1 Mug of Table Salt2 Mugs of Plain FlourApprox 1 Mug of Tepid Water (Add final frac14 slowly)1 Tablespoon of Olive or Vegetable Oil (Optional)
Mix the flour and salt together in a bowlIf you are using oil (which helps to add elasticity but is optional and not necessary) add it to themug of water Add the water (with or without oil) to the salt and flour mixAdd most of the water stirring into the dry ingredients with a wooden spoon Add the last of thewater carefully as you will need more or less depending on humidity and the gradequality of theflourYou need to add enough to bind the ingredients without making it too sticky Empty onto a lightlyfloured surface and knead for at least ten minutes until the dough is smooth and slightly warm
A Few Tips for Modelling Salt DoughRoll out salt dough onto a lightly floured surface with a floured rolling pin or you could use abottle if you havent got a rolling pin Gently flattening salt dough with the heels of your hands willwork too but keep moving the dough to keep it even and turn it over to the fresh smooth sidejust before you begin cutting shapesKeep the thickness of your pieces under an inch much thicker than this and they wont hardenproperly in the middleUse a sharp knife to cut salt dough shapes but a blunt knife (or the back of a knife) is useful whenmarking lines onto the dough A scalpel or craft knife is best for cutting out intricate shapesUse pastry cutters plasticine moulds forks hair grips scrubbing brushes experiment withanything you have lying around the house
Cooking Salt DoughCook your salt dough pieces slowly in a very low oven The cooler and slower the better to preventdistortion in the cooking process These pieces were cooked at 140275 degrees or Gas Mark 1 forapproximately 2 hours but I often leave them all day in the oven at its lowest setting
Heartmade Gifts
Decorating Salt DoughYou can decorate your pieces before or after the cooking process Try adding food colouringherbs and spices tea or coffee to your dough as you knead it Or try painting your uncooked piecewith an egg wash for a lovely golden glowExperiment with various mediums on cooked pieces Gouache and acrylics work well but posterpaint is fine (if a little limited in colour variation) and you could try chalks felt tips or crayonsUse glue to add decorations including glitter sequins fabric bows tiny scraps of paper etcIts nice to leave the dough perfectly natural sometimes and sometimes a combination of naturaldough and painted areas works very wellVarnish thoroughly Any varnish will work I tend to use a spray varnish as a first coat to set thepaints then I add a few coats of a super store own brand wood varnish (If you need yourfinished piece to be especially waterproof try yacht varnish but be aware that it will tend tochange the colours making them yellowish)Use a small brush to get into all the nooks and crannies and allow each coat to dry thoroughlybefore applying the next one The more coats you apply the better protected your final pieceHowever unvarnished salt dough I have made for personal use (or the odd forgotten piece) hassurvived very well even in a slightly damp old house So dont let a lack of varnish deter you fromtrying salt dough But if you are creating a family heirloom four or five coats of a good varnish willensure it lasts for yearsTry these two Easter projects the ldquoEgg-stra Specialrdquo eggs are very quick and simple enough to dowith small children the primrose basket takes a while and is a little fiddly but well worth tryingand very easy to adapt by choosing your own flower or perhaps some other motif
~ Egg-stra Special Eggs ~
1 Form an egg shape from a small ball of dough by rolling in your hands and pressthis gently onto your baking tray(Its easier to build your salt dough pieces directly onto the tray you will use tocook them rather than try and move them while they are still uncooked I havebuilt my eggs onto the kitchen surface because it will be easier for you to see whatIm doing)
2 Roll out a piece of salt dough and use it to cover the bottom end of youregg like a blanket When you are happy with the position gently lift andrun a wet paintbrush between the two pieces to glue them together
3 Cut out an egg cup shape around your egg
4 Use a damp paintbrush to push the egg cup onto the eggand ensure it sticks
(A damp paintbrush also helps soften edges and blend any creases or cracks)
5 Uncurl an old metal paperclip and push into the dough to form a hangingloop You can use a piece of any wire I try and use paperclips or a piece of wire
coat-hanger as I like to recycle An alternative hanging method is to create a smallhole (or two holes for larger pieces) and thread a ribbon or piece of leather shoelacethrough the hole tying it to make a loop)
6 Cut out a small bow shape from a piece of flattened dough
7 Cut two ribbon ends from a rectangle of flattened dough
8 Use a wet paintbrush to layer the ribbon ends onto thetop of your egg
9 Attach the bow in position And add a small piece to the centre ofthe bow to finish
10 Cook
11 Decorate in whatever way takes your fancy hellip have fun
~ Primrose Basket ~
1 Cover a bowl in greaseproof paper and turn upside down onto your baking tray
2 Roll out some dough to approx 5mm thickness and cut into thin stripslong enough to cover your bowl
3 Lay four of these strips across the bottom ofyour bowl
4 Begin weaving four in the opposite direction by gently liftingalternate strips out of the way laying the cross strip and replacingthe lifted strips
5 Then add one strip to each side until you reach the edge of the bowl
6 Trim the edge with a knife or fold the stripsback to form a rough bowl lip You can indentsomething on the dough to secure anddecorate
7 Cook
8 Carefully remove the bowl and paper
9 Make primrose flowers and leaves and glue them to the rim with a wetpaintbrush replacing your bowl in the oven for a short whileLeaves ndash cut rough leaf shapes out of a piece of flatted dough and mark theveins and indent the edges with the back of a knifeFlowers ndash use a small heart cutter to cut 5 heart shapes and place on the rim with pointstogether indenting the centre with your fingertip and then marking with the end of a paintbrushPaint with whichever medium you prefer or have to hand I have used acrylics here leaving thebasket natural and painting the primrose leaves green and the flowers yellow adding someorange to the centres of the flowers while the yellow is still damp for a blurred effect
This article was written by Diannefrom Heartmade Gifts
Join Heartmade Gifts on Facebook
wwwheartmadegiftswordpresscom
Lilac Lace Heart LocketJewellery by Bina
Vintage Victorian StyledSweetheart Locket
Miss Bohemia
pound17
pound15
Emerald Bewitched
youmin
$40
The Bright Forest Locket
marisolspoon
$35
Cameral Locket
mydogandi
$2750
Creative CraftingFavourite
This article was created by
The Crystal Ladyhttpwwwmysticearthcouk
Lockets may sound very old fashioned but if you have a wander through thehandmade sites you will find a wealth of very modern and extremely beautifuldesigns Perfect for you to carry your loved ones with you wherever you go
Bee Joyful LocketThe Whimsical Wren
pound10
SteampunkWatch Mechanism
Locketedmdesigns
$85
Luscious LocketsLuscious Lockets
Who likes Chocolate CakeThis is a great recipe for Easter Mothers day or any other daylets admit it we all love chocolate
Ingredients
7 oz self raising flour8 oz caster sugar1 teaspoon of salt2 tablespoons of cocoa powder4 oz margarine2 eggs beaten with5 tablespoons evaporated milk5 tablespoons water1 teaspoon vanilla essence
1 Sift together flour sugar and salt and cocoa2 Rub in margarine3 Stir in eggs essence and liquids then beat well4 Grease and flour 2 8 inch cake tins divide the mixture between them5 Bake in a moderate over 325-350 F gas mark 3 about 35 minutes6 When cold sandwich together and cover in milk chocolate icing
Milk chocolate Icing
Ingredients
2 and a half oz margarine or butter4 tablespoons cocoa8 oz sieved icing sugar3 tablespoons hot milk1 teaspoon vanilla essence
Melt the margarine or butter and blend incocoa powder then stir in icing sugar milkand vanilla essence Beat until smooth andthick
We hope you all enjoy the recipe we would love to see anypictures of chocolate cakes that you make
Instructions
Instructions
Written and reviewed by Peggyrsquos Knitshttppeggyscollectionwebscom
By Sprinkles Sparkleshttpwwwsprinklessparklescouk
All prices are correct at the time of publication
Budget amp LuxurySpring special
Woodland DaffodilsCharm Bracelet
Coco Angel Rosepound1600
Spring Flower Hair ClipFlutter2me
pound450
Spring flowers broochDi Does Craft
pound800
Pink Spring Clutchfunky diva designs
pound1750
Cupcake BuntingCotton Cottage
pound1650
Purple TulipsWildrose Ridge
pound350
Chickadees and LilacsStained Glass WindowStained Glass Addie
pound4940
The Charlotte - SageRosalind Jamespound14500
Springtime 16 Crayon RollApple n Amos
pound509
Buttercup earrings in softyellow with peridot and brass
Goblins Marketpound401
Springtime DalaFolk Horse HangingDecoration - YellowCourt and Spark
pound400
D A P H N E - BrokenChina Plate Pendant
and Sterling Silver NecklaceDesigns by Mila
pound2228
To make the leaves
Using DK yarn and 300 mm hook make 5 leaves as follows
Rnd 1 9ch dc in 2nd ch 1htr in next ch 1tr in each of next 6ch 3ch ss in base of last tr worked
Now work on opposite side of stitches by turning the work
Rnd 2 3ch 1tr in each of next 6ch 1htr in next ch dc ss in top of first stFasten off and sew in loose ends
Materials
Small quantity of DK yarn I have used a yarn with awool-mix but any DK yarn of your choice will be suitableSmall quantity of kid mohair yarn (use two strands together)300 mm hook200 mm hookOne large buttonBrooch pinSewing needle
To make the small rose
Using a 200 mm hook and working two strands of kid mohair yarn together 13ch
Rnd 1 1tr 2ch 1tr in 4th ch (skip 2ch 1tr 2ch 1tr in next ch) 3 times (4 v- spaces)
Rnd 2 3ch 6tr into next v-space 1dc into space between v-spaces Continue with 6tr into eachv-space and 1dc in between spaces until end ss into last ch Fasten off
Roll the work with fingers from start to finish to create a small rose flower and sew together at thebase
Assembling the brooch
Turn the flower so the right side is facing up and sew the button in the centre of the flowerAttach the rose to the centre of the button as shown in diagram Sew a brooch pin to the back of theflower to complete the brooch
Arrange the 5 leaves to form a circle so thecorners of the leaves are touching Sew eachcorner together to form the petals of aflower
Turn the work so the wrong side is facing upand close the hole by sewing together withthe same DK yarn used to make the leaves
Crochet Flower Brooch
ch - chain stitchdc - double crochethtr - half treble crochetss - slip stitchtr - treble crochetst - stitch
Crochet Mobile PhoneiPod Cosy
Materials
50g Dk yarn in mustard colourSmall quantity of DK yarn in bright pink for picot edgingof cosy and small roseSmall quantity of DK yarn in sage green for leaves of roseflowerSize 300mm hook
Instructions for the cosy
The cosy can be made to fit a mobile phoneiPod of your choice
Pattern note the pattern is worked in dc throughout and worked in the round using the tapestrycrochet method of crochet This involves carrying a second yarn below the first making it verystrong
Foundation row
Using one strand of DK yarn in mustard make a chain that measures the width of your mobilephoneipod
Rnd 1 dc across row until the last chain 2dc in last chain Turn work
Rnd 2 Begin to carry a second strand of mustard yarn throughouteach round and every round from now on This yarn is not worked butcarried below the first strand of yarn
Work along the opposite side of the row just worked 1dc in first ch1ch in each chain until the last chain 2dc in last chain Now mark thelast stitch just worked with a different colour yarn so you can see theend of the round and keep moving this marker up to the last stitchworked
Rnd 3 Dc in each chain around working in spirals moving the stitchmarker as the piece grows Continue until the work measures thedesired length to fit the mobileiPod Fasten off and tie in loose ends
ch - chain stitchdc - double crochethtr - half treble crochetss - slip stitchtr - treble crochetst - stitch
Instructions for rose flower
Rnd 1 Using DK yarn in bright pink 1tr 2ch 1tr in 4th ch (skip 2ch1tr 2ch 1tr in next ch) 3 times (4 v- spaces)
Rnd 2 3ch 6tr into next v-space 1dc into space between v-spacesContinue with 6tr into each v-space and 1dc in between spaces untilend ss into last ch Fasten off
Roll the work with fingers from start to finish to create a small rose flower and sew together at thebase
Instructions for leaves
Using DK yarn and 300mm hook make 2 leaves as follows
Rnd 1 5ch dc in 2nd ch 1htr in next ch 1tr in each of next 2ch 3ch ss in base of last tr workedNow work on opposite side of stitches by turning the work
Rnd 2 3ch 1tr in each of next 2 ch 1htr in next ch dc ss in top of first st Fasten off and sew inloose ends
Assembly
Sew the leaves to the reverse of the rose and attach to the cosy as shown in the picture
Picot edging
Rnd 1 Using DK yarn in bright pink dc into each stitch around the edge of the cosy opening ss tofirst dc
Rnd 2 3ch ss into 2nd chain from hook ss into base of 3ch dc into next 2ch 3ch continuefrom to ss into last ch Fasten off and sew in loose ends
Written by Andrea Lesley Crochethttpwwwfolksycomshopsandrealesleycrochet
Materials
T - shirt - colour your choiceScissorsChainSewing needle and threadCorsage or embellishments
Step 1 First get a plain whitet-shirt
Step 2 Then cut off the neck Step 3 Now sew two pieces of chain to each side of where theneckline should be
Step 4 Cut a triangle out ofthe bottom of the t-shirt
Step 5 Tie the two ends thatare left into a knot or bow
Step 6 Finally add a corsageor flower to the front
Step 7 Now you have a bang on trend crop top simply wear over a vest top I loved designing andgokking up this t-shirt it took minutes and didnt cost a lot either
Corsage made by Madam SalamihttpwwwetsycomshopMadamSalami
Written By Heidi Jackson
Favourite finds from around the crafting communityThis months focus is Easter and Spring
Click on the images to take you to their store
Online StreetMISI
Ring With A FlowerBlue Fish Handmade
pound800
Spring necklace in glassand sterling silver
RosieJo Jewellerypound1275
Easter Eggs CardNaomi Constable
pound250
FOLKSY
Easter rabbit cushionwith choccie eggs
Phoebelinas Treasurespound500
Easter Knitted BagsFluerette
pound300
Small Gorgeous FeltSpring Bouquets
Spare Minute Productionspound2000
WOW THANK YOU
Green And Brown PetalFlower Bracelet
Sprinkles Sparklespound3750 inc pampp
Handmade Pink Canvas Wall Art(Set of 3)
Craft on Canvaspound3900 inc pampp
Blue Easter ChickDharmapaintings
pound12 20 inc pampp
All prices correct at the time of publication
Favourite finds from around the crafting communityThis months focus is Easter and Spring
Click on the images to take you to their store
Best PicksUGLY BE GONE
Handpainted DottyDolly Pegs
Ticketty Boopound650
Quirky Motifs ShopperRachael Taylor
pound1500
Collette the Cow BibBaby Boutique
pound1100
The Cutie Pie - recycledpaper butterfly shadow boxThe WingSpan Collection
pound6421
Easter 1 Square PendantHappy Easter Spring Flowers
Miss Gooseberry Pendantspound321
ETSY
RETROEasterplastic springfling daisy clip-on earringsamber brown makes art
pound208ARTFIRE
Easter Egg Mini Cards 2x2 6Peculiar Parchment
pound170
Spring Chicks - Little FusedGlass Dish - Easter Gift
First Light Glasspound926
4 Chocolate Easter ParadeBunny Lollipops extra large
Candy Cottagepound741
All prices correct at the time of publication
What you will need3 x 10 inch lengths of purple Cylon cord10mm silver plated lobster clasp and clasp tag2 x silver plated fold over necklace endsApprox 24 Rose Quartz gemstone chip beads(holes need to be large enough to thread onelength of the cylon cord though)2 x 4mm silver plated jump rings
Rose Quartz is the stone of unconditionalloveIt purifies and opens the heart helping thewearer to love themselves as well as others
Rose Quartz draws off negative energy andhelps release unexpressed emotions
Encourages self forgiveness and acceptanceaids self trust and self worth
I find it easier to use a macrame board for making this type of bracelet as it make it easier tokeep the design neat but its not essential I use a simple board made from a cork notice boardand pins I also use nylon nosed pliers to fold over the necklace ends as I find metal pliers oftenleave marks but again they arent essential
Step 2 Thread a chip bead onto each of the outer lengths ofcord
Step 3 Cross the outer cordsover the middle one as youwould in a braid Then braid thecords again
Step 1 Attach one of thenecklace ends to one end ofthe three lengths of CyloncordYou can then use the hole inthe end to attach the braceletto your board
Make a Rose Quartz Bracelet
Step 6 Attach the secondnecklace end to the three cordwithout cutting them as it makesit easier The ends can then betrimmed with a craft knife orsharp scissors
Step 7 Using the jump ringsattach the clasp to one end ofthe bracelet and the clasp tagto the other
Step 4 Thread two chip beadson to the new outer lengths ofcord and braid as in the previousstep
Step 5 Repeat step three and four untilthe bracelet reaches seven inchesor your desired length
(The clasp section will measureapproximately one inch)
If the cord ends become frayed they canbe fixed with a little super glue
Step 8 And there you areOne finished rose quartzbracelet
Would you like to share a craft project with Creative Crafting
Let us know what project you would like toshare with us
Anything from jewellery knitting and crochetcrafts paper crafts or a craft you feel hasbeen forgotten about
Email thecrystalladycreative-craftingcom
Written by Elderberry Artshttpwwwelderberryartscouk
To those who are not yet aware Prince William and Kate Middleton will tie the knot this month onFriday 29th April in a quiet little ceremony at Westminster Abbey To some this may mean getting aday off to celebrate the nuptials or actually attend the whole affair To others like myself who areself-employed there will be no day off and hence little difference from a normal day but we can stillbe happy for the two love birds entering a state of marital bliss for the first timeIn these uncertain economic times I am not sure how the Royal Wedding will affect the economyhow much money will people want to spend Will this mean street parties like those that dominatemany peoplersquos memories from Prince Charles and Dianarsquos wedding back in 1981 Will there be arush to purchase ridiculously crass lsquosouvenirrsquo mugs plates tea towels or will the market just not bethere at all with all the unsold Royal Wedding goods in the pound shops by JuneThe handmade and crafting sector needs to be aware of the sales potential created by this Royalevent and so products should be made available to support the celebrations and possibly make thecountry feel good about itself again Maybe a lovely warm spring day in April will be good for thecountry and make it forget its economic woes for a few hoursWe asked a number of our sellers about their experience of the last big Royal Wedding (Charles andDiana) and what they are going to do this time to celebrate There were mixed feelings ndash manywere too young to remember much about the 1981 event and even though I remember a day offfrom school I cannot remember any street parties or spontaneous Mardi Gras This time around Ithink money will be a big factor and most people will not stray too far from a bit of home baking inred white and blue and also a show of patriotic bunting Union Jacks are quite the lsquoin thingrsquo at themoment for interior design and so a patriotic statement may double as being hip and trendy
Kim Lampard of Zigzag Bunting thinks a great way tocelebrate the Royal Wedding is to make your own buntingShe suggests pulling together a pile of fabrics that you nolonger need but that hold cherished memories for you forexample your daughterrsquos first cute dress a tea-towel youbought on a special holiday an old bedspread made by your
Granny Even if the items are damaged so cannot be passed on to others there is always a littlecorner that can be cut up into a triangle to make a bunting flag Mix a few of these together and ifyou have enough for a colour scheme (such as red white and blue) fine but donrsquot worry the flagsdonrsquot even need to be the same size Sometimes a shabby chic lsquoMix and Matchrsquo approach turns outto be perfect Sew the fabric triangles onto a piece of ribbon or bias tape and you will have awonderful string of bunting to decorate for the special day You and your family will remember notonly the Royal Wedding when you bring out that bunting but have extra glimpses of their past inthe fabrics Definitely a memento to cherish
Gaye Weekes of A amp V Designs now lives in Snowdonia North Wales and onlyan hour away from Anglesey where the Royal couple will begin their marriedlife She has no doubt had that His Highness has been hovering over theirremote valley in his helicopter over recent months Gaye plans to be flying redwhite and green Welsh bunting for the wedding Her bunting is made fromvintage fabric from the 1950s and 1960s - a cotton heavy woven greenand cream floral and a jolly red and white gingham She adds ldquo
rdquo
This article was written by
from
httpwwwwowthankyoucouk
Karine Ait-Mohamed of The Pink Fairy Cake isFrench but now lives in England She says ldquo
rdquo In the spirit of the occasion Karinehas produced a product that combines both England and France into the celebration Shehas produced sets of two Union Jack hearts filled with lavender from Chateau la Gabelle inHaute-Provence
Lisa MacDonald of LisaMollyMacDonaldis quite enthusiastic about the weddingand getting caught up in the glamour of the
occasion ldquo
rdquo
Lou Carswell of Loubie Jewels has some prettyfantastic red white and blue jewellery which wouldbe suitable for a Royal wedding celebration She told
us ldquo
rdquo
So what can we gather from these observations It will be a nice idea to celebrate the RoyalWedding If we apply a little lsquowartimersquo austerity (handmade lends itself to recycling andupcycling) we shouldnrsquot have to spend a fortune We can step back from commercialism andbe involved in a low key but meaningful way that will make the event more memorable for itssimplicity and just a little thrift God Bless William and Kate
Tell us about yourself
My name is Sandra Ritchie I live in Cleethorpes UK with my husbandJason my 10 year old daughter Alisha my 2 year old son Alfred andour dog Dumbledore Primarily I am a housewife but in my sparetime I make jewellery of all kinds from beaded pieces to metal workbut mainly I make custom-made bespoke precious metal jewellery
When did your crafting begin and why
Many years ago I studied Jewellery and Metal Art at college andover time Ive collected the tools I needed but never got round tosetting up a workroom until 2009 when my Husband pointed outthat our Utility Room would be perfect for me to set up as aworkroom to start making jewellery again It seemed ideal Ialready had people interested in me making them some jewelleryand it meant I could stay at home and look after the children as wellas try to establish a name for myself as a Jewellery designermaker
What was the first item you made to sell online
The first item I made to sell whilst not specifically to sell online was asilver octopus necklace commissioned by an acquaintance of mine thathad seen the silver octopus necklace that I made for myself whilst atcollege and wanted one like it She has since purchased the silver andcopper entwined Dragon necklace and a commissioned silver Dragonand is back on my list for another piece to be made My number onefan I think
What is your biggest crafting achievement and why
I love all the pieces Ive created especially my Custom work but myfavourite piece of all is the Greenman necklace I was approached tomake something as a surprise for someone and was basically giventhe opportunity to produce something different to my usual pieces Ilove making pieces that are based on peoples ideas of what theywant that is really special but the Greenman necklace was mydesign based on what the customer wanted it to represent I had toteach myself etching for the piece as its something Id never learntand Im really pleased with how it worked out
Other than crafting what else do you like to do
I love spending time with my children and family I love baking andcooking too and I suppose I should admit to enjoying the oddrelaxing glass (or bottle) of nice wine when the children are in bed
wwwlittlefairycultcouk
Where would you like to be in 5 years
In 5 years time Id love to be in a better financial position so I canbuy silver and make silver jewellery to sell that isnt just Custom-made Ive started sneaking a few pieces of precious metal jewellerythat are for general sale onto my site
Where does your inspiration come from
My inspiration is usually from the customers themselves They tell mewhat it is they want and I design a piece to reflect that Sometimes theyalter the design slightly to reflect more of how they want it and that isfine For my bead jewellery its usually what beads I have in myworkroom that inspire my beaded pieces I very rarely buy beads for thereason that I have a design idea and usually just buy mixed lots of beadsand work with what I have
What are your favourite materials and why
I really love working with precious metals There is somethinguniquely satisfying about taking a flat sheet of metal and turning itinto a beautiful piece of jewellery Thats why I take pictures of thepieces as I am making them so that other people and the customerwhos item it is can enjoy seeing it progress from a blank piece ofprecious metal into the finished piece
What is favourite shop online that isnrsquot yours and why
Oh my There are so many amazing websites offering beautiful andunique handmade items but I will always take a look at Etsy to see ifthere is anything that catches my eye on there They have such a largevariety of designerssellers making almost everything but the kitchen sink(though I bet if you looked hard enough youd find one on there) Ireally enjoy the little treasuries they do too where you can browse aselection of items that are grouped together by themes
Has any person helped or supported you more than any other
I have had a lot of support from the good friends I have gained on Twitter and of coursemy real life friends have been extremely supportive too but the main reason I actuallysorted out my workroom (or corner of the utility room) was due to my husband insistingthat I start making jewellery again Luckily his insistence and support paid off virtuallystraight away when a friend asked for the octopus necklace I mentioned earlier to bemade
Tell us a random fact about yourself
I have known the sex of each child and whether Id be carrying one or more before I evenconceived them Fairly random but fact nevertheless
Kit includes seed beads 5 x handmade glass beads choker wire x 3 banglewire x 2 ring wire x 3 jewellery pliers beading mat instructions
Makes 8 fabulous and individual pieces of jewellery without the need forfiddly findings books or other money-wasters
Beaded Jewellery Kitpound12Japan Crafts
A coordinating selection of beads plus step-by-step full colour instructions to make your own version of the Jungle Collar design Learn how to work peyote stitch edge it with drops and embellish it with a lush fringe and beaded flowers and leaves Let your beading imagination run wild
Each kit is hand-picked and slightly different so the beads you receive may not be the exact onesshown in the photograph but you can be certain that your necklace will be uniqueThe kit comes carefully packaged in a handy reusable storage box the only things yoursquoll need inaddition are a beading needle a spool of nylon beading thread and some sharp scissors
Beadweaving Kit for Jungle Collar
pound38Lynn Davy
Fairy Earrings Jewellery Making Kit - Ages 7yrs+
pound5Jewellery Making Kits
These single kits are fabulous for all crafty and creative girls They also make great presents for school friends nieces sisters or even grown ups Each kit includes Sterling Silver earwires or studs a small selection of flowers for the skirt a pair of wings a few coloured glass pearls for the heads silver headpin Organza Bag Full set of instructionsSuitable for ages 7 years and up Requires a pair of pliers to finish off - all instructions included
Bracelet Kit - Chunky Swarovski Pearl and Crystal with Toggle Clasp
pound750Wonderstuff Craft Kits
A little kit of bronze Swarovski pearls and Golden Shadow Swarovski crystals silk and toggle clasp
Kit includes 11 x Swarovski 12mm Pearls Colour - Soft Bronze 3 x Swarovski Crystal 8mm Rondelles - Colour - Golden Shadow 8 x Swarovski Crystal 4mmBicones Colour - Light Colorado Topaz 1 x Silver Plated Toggle Bar 1 x Silver plated Toggle RingBracelet length of threading silk Instructions
This kit contains top quality beads to make an exquisite braceletno special tools are needed
Jewellery making kits
from the small crafterWersquove found a selection of wonderful beading kits for allages and experience These are not massed producedsets but offered by the small crafter
This article was created by The Crystal Lady httpwwwmysticearthcouk
This Months
This months lsquoMan of the Monthrsquo is Ade (Adrian)EdmondsonChosen by MegampMillie
This months lsquoLady of the Monthrsquo is GwenStefaniChosen by Claire Pearcy from Elderberry Arts
httpwwwgwenstefanicom
httpwwwunrealitytvcouklets-dance-for-comic-relieflets-dance-for-comic-relief-results-ade-edmondson-and-eighties-super-group-make-next-weeks-final
(Nothing like an April Fools)
This months lsquoBlog of the Month Awardrsquo goes to lsquoItrsquos All Fiddle Fartrsquo
httpitsallfiddlefartblogspotcom
This months lsquoShop of the Month Awardrsquo goes to lsquoJulias DriftwoodFurniturersquo
httpwwwfolksycomshopsseasandview123
ww
wc
reativ
e-cr
afting
co
mw
ww
cr
eative-c
on
nec
tion
snin
gc
om
CREATIVE CRAFTING
Our next issue will be available to read on
1st June 2010If you have missed any of our issues you
can find them to read on our websitewwwcreative-craftingcom
And also on our Social Network Creative Connectionswwwcreative-connectionsningcom
To advertise in Creative Crafting or to submit an article please contact Annaat thecrystalladycreative-craftingcom
AUGUSTSUMMER 2010
Issue 5
By Crafters for Crafters
Check out our
CraftersDirectory
CREATIVE CRAFTING
By Crafters for Crafters
Issue 3
ValentinesMothers Day 2010
HandcraftedWeddingSpecial
Valentine ampMothers Day
Projects
Have youbeen
featured
By Crafters for Crafters
Issue 3ValentinesMothers Day 2010
Handcrafted
Wedding
SpecialValentine amp
Mothers Day
ProjectsHave you
been
featured
By
EASTER 2010
Issue 4
FATHERS DAY 2010
Issue 4
By Crafters for Crafters
Ch
eck out our
Craft
ersDirectory
AUGUSTSUMMER 2
010
Issu
e 5
By Craf
ters fo
r Craf
ters
Chec
k out our
Crafters
Directory
CREATIVE
C
RAFTINGAU
TUM
N H
ALLO
WEE
N 201
0Is
sue
7
CREA
TIVE
CRAF
TIN
G
By Craf
ters f
or C
rafter
s
Chec
k
out our
Craft
ersDirect
ory
An
niv
ersa
ry
Issu
e
Donrsquot forget
All of our links andadverts are fullyclickable
If you would like to embed our magazine into your website blog myspace page etc you can
customise the code to suit your style and size
AUTUMN HALLOWEEN 2010
Issue 7CREATIVE CRAFTING
By Crafters for Crafters
Check out our
CraftersDirectory
Anniversary
Issue
CHRISTMAS 2010
Issue 8
By Crafters for Crafters
FATHERS DAY 2010
Issue 4
By Crafters for Crafters
Check out our
Crafters
Directory
EASTER 2010
Issue 4
By Crafters for Crafters
By Crafters for Crafters
VALENTINES 2011Issue 9
CREATIVE CRAFTING
Crafterrsquos DirectoryThe perfect place to find beautiful gifts
Handcrafted items are becoming a popular alternative to mass produced itemsLovingly created and often surprisingly inexpensive
Click on the links to visit a world of beautiful craft shops
SudrsquonrsquoSoothe Juice Bar just got a new meaning Website
Radiance Crystals Bespoke Bridal and Occasion Jewellery Website
All things Nice The home of unique affordable arts and crafts Folksy
Diomo Glass A range of Stained Glass Gifts by a Stained Glass Artist I recycle glass tocreate gifts and other novel little items of interest fun and meaning Folksy
FloralGifts4U Beautiful floral gifts for all occasions Sock posies are our speciality Website
Lemonade and Lamingtons Homewares amp accessories fresh amp exciting Folksy
Ragtag Rugs Handmade rugs from recycled textiles Folksy
Court amp Spark Handmade Textiles by Phillippa Harding An original range ofDecorations Soft Furnishing Cards amp Gifts with a VintageRetro Twist Website
Dab and a Dash Unique handmade JournalsNotebooks Fabric covers and stitchedbinding Folksy
Kelso Kreations Handmade Gifts for that special occasion Folksy
Little ScruffsMiniature Mohair Artist Bears with loads of character Vintage style collectable Website
Moody Cow Designs Unique handmade handbags and accessories Folksy
pipdesigns Ipad Covers Purses Handbags - Designer amp Funky Fabrics Folksy
Wraggamuffins Handmade chocolate truffles a perfect Valentines gift to show someonehow much you love them Website
If you would like to be featured in our directory please visit our website
Ann Chandler Originals Unique bags and accessories in unusual fabrics including vintagekimono silks funky cotton prints and upcycled clothing Folksy
Off With Her Head Vintage Inspired Millinery hats and fascinators based on originalvintage designs illustrations and photographs and custom designs Website
Crafterrsquos DirectoryThe perfect place to find beautiful gifts
Handcrafted items are becoming a popular alternative to mass produced itemsLovingly created and often surprisingly inexpensive
Click on the links to visit a world of beautiful craft shops
Beads4Breakfast Artisan lampwork beads made in my kitchen studio Commissions taken Website
The Little Bead Box Beautiful Beads and Jewellery Supplies Folksy
UK Craft Store Novelty buttons and more Website
Abstract Cat Crafts Colourful high quality hand-dyed and hand-painted knitting yarn Website
Andrea Lesley Crochet Beautiful handmade crochet gifts Folksy
Joyknitt Joyknitt Knits Misi
NOfkants Curios Hand Knitted and Crocheted Unique Handbags Folksy
Peggyrsquos Knits Quality knitted items Website
Wharfedale Woolworks Hand painted yarns and custom knits Folksy
Creative CraftingAdvertise with
wwwcreative-craftingcomadvertisehtml
A mouse here could take customersto your store
We care about yourcraft business
Prices startfrom only pound2
The Broken Doll Unique greeting cards and gifts from The Doll for that something a littlebit different Folksy
Di saw it first craftreviews
Thank you to everyone that has sent in items for the review Such gorgeous handmade giftsThere really are many very talented people out there
All of these items are going to be able to be won by one of our lucky readers Could it be you
Delightful canvas personalised bag and hair accessoriesSo well made and presented gorgeously These would makesuch a good gift for any little girl Beautiful detail and somany choices of what to buy The details on them areexceptionalwwwjaydesignshairclipscouk
Gorgeous hand made beaded bracelet with little pink bowsso well made and would compliment any outfit
Has so many gorgeous pieces in her shop something foreveryone Comes in a gorgeous little organza bag packagedbeautifullywwwmychicuniqueetsycom
Handmade gorgeous card called Moonlit Bay This card isso stunning the details that have gone into it really show
A very professional finish and hand signed by the artistMimi who is based in Cornwall Mini makes some gorgeousitems and it is so nice to have her Cornwall influencesinspiring her artworkwwwartbymimicouk
This is a stunning necklace made with lampwork beads and Swarovskicrystalspearls and glass bicones with glass seed beads The coloursare amazing and really stand out
Packaged in a beautiful aqua organza bag to compliment thenecklace This would be a great gift for anyone and I am sure youwould get so many compliments from wearing thiswwwscottishprincesscouk
Di saw it first craftreviews
Recycled fabric notebookjournal has 3 pages and is A5 size with2 decorative pagesThe front page also has a pretty nameplate with 3D flowers on it
Made very well and would be an absolutely wonderful gift for any one to receive regardless of their age Although it is unsuitable for very young children due to the decorative disc on the front cover My nieces both loved this notebook and I am sure it would be a great gift for little girls and a very special keepsake book
wwwfolksycomshopsdabdash
Nursing necklace from a company called Booby and The BeadsAbsolutely stunning colours and made very well Pinks and reds reallycompliment each other Packaged in a beautiful pink organza bag
A great idea for a present for any ladyhttpwwwfacebookcompagesBooby-The-Beads-Nursing-Necklaces-Reminder-Bracelets -more157477778613
Lovely handmade bookmark made with material andcharms So different and would make an excellentgift Never seen a bookmark with so much detail onBefore
Gorgeous handmade charm packaged and has so muchdetail on it This would be perfect on your bag or keys and Iam sure everyone would ask where you bought it from Bothpackaged beautifullywwwd-k-designscouk
You could win all these goodies by entering our giveaway
Just enter you name and email address to be in fora chance of winning all these handmade gifts
wwwcreative-craftingcomgiveawayhtml
Closing date for entries is 31st May 2011
Written and reviewed by Peggyrsquos Knitshttppeggyscollectionwebscom
Make this simple striking necklace using beadedheadpins and chain to add a bold statement
to your favourite outfit
MaterialsI used Beads Unlimited products in the following quantities tocomplete the jewellery set -
100g x high quality glass mix pink tones (GLXH22)1 x 40 mm silver foil flat round lime green (GLCN4028)50 cm x heavy chain ( sold per meter) silver plated (CHHSP)2 x (1 pack of 10) 8 mm jump ring silver plated (JR8SP)1 x pack of 100 headpins silver plated (HPSP)2 x (1 pack of 6) long ballwires silver plated (LBWSP)1 x (1 pack of 12) eyepins silver plated (EPSP)1 x trigger clasp silver plated (TRGSP)You will also need a pair of multi pliers (CRMT)
Step 1 Thread thelime green beads ontoan eyepinWith the round nosedpart of the pliers bendthe eyepin into a loopdonrsquot close it yet
Step 2 Measure andCut 28 cm and 12 cmof chainAttach one length toeach eye on the beadedeyepin and close theloop
Step 3 Thread a beadof your choice from thepink mix onto a headpinTrim the headpin 1 cmabove the beadsAttach to the chain linknext to the lime greenbeads Close the loop
Gemma is inspired by everything around her from colourand form to the materials she uses and by using manytraditional techniques with contemporary ideas she createsjewellery with her individual style
Make your ownStriking Necklace and Earrings
Step 4 Continue to addbeads from the pink mixin the way to create atapered look on each sideThe shorter length of chainshould be beaded along 5 cmand the longer length 14 cm
Step 5 Attach and 8 mmjump ring to one and of thenecklace ends and a jumpring with a trigger clasp tothe other
Finished necklace
To make the earringsCut a 5 cm length of chain Attach a long ballwire to one end and bead inthe same way as the necklace Make sure you attach a bead to the endlineRepeat to make a pair
Designed by Gemma fromwwwbeadsunlimitedcouk
This necklace and earring set could be yoursVisit wwwcreative-craftingcomgiveawayto enter
Competition end date is -31st May 2011
Beautiful Jewellery to helpyou through life
wwwmysticearthcouk
These pieces of unique jewellery makethe perfect gift for a loved one or a much
needed treat for yourself
MYSTIC EARTH
Have you ever thought ofhaving a piece of
Gemstone and CrystalHealing Jewellery Created
lsquojust for yoursquoEach stone matched to your needs
The Crystal Lady at Mystic Earthcan offer you this service
Quality KnittedItems
httpwwwpeggyscollectionwebscom
PeggyrsquosCollection
Made with love and care
Mother Nature has provided us withwonderful Healing Gemstones and Minerals
PeridotFor this Issue discover the beauty of
(MgFe)2(SiO4)+AlCaMnNiCoCrTi
If you would likemore information about
Crystal Healing Jewelleryyou can contact
The Crystal Lady atthecrystalladymysticearthcouk
httpwwwmysticearthcoukor visit
In the Middle Ages Peridot was employed for warding off evil spiritsand to bestow wisdom and friendship
Mentally -Dissolves oppressive feelings that arise from self-blameAllows us to forgive ourselves
Physically - Peridot has a strong detoxifying effect and stimulates the liverEnhances the liver and gallbladder helps with skin problems even warts
Chakra - Heart Solar Plexus
Peridot Mini Hair Comb
pound14
Lime Crush
pound35Victorian Sterling Silver
Peridot Ring
$38
Chocolate Pearl and PeridotNecklace
$78Jasper Peridot Rhyolite
and Pearl Necklace
pound45
Peridot Chip Bracelet
pound7
As a woman in the UK today if you attend a wedding or the races andparticularly if you are lucky enough to go to Ladies Day at Royal Ascotthen it is usually expected that you should wear a hat or nowadaysa fascinator
If you want to get ahead get a hat
People have always worn hats in someform whether as a protective head covering oras a mark of status within society hats have alwayshad their place In the 15th century it was expectedthat women keep their hair covered wearing veilsand wimples and refashioned male hats were alsopopular
But it was not until the 17th century that womenrsquosheadwear began to take the familiar shape that it does today Bonnetsbecame increasingly popular and at times could be extremely elaboratetrimmed with ribbons lace and feathers
The term lsquomillinerrsquo meaning a maker of womenrsquos hats refers to products derived from Milan andNorthern Italy such as the straws and ribbons used in the making of hats
The haberdashers who imported of these products were known as lsquoMillanersrsquo from which we getthis term The first use of the term in the UK was in the 1700rsquos
Hats were extremely popular at the turn of the 20th century not only forspecial occasions Victorian hats were large brimmed and ornatelydecorated with flowers feathers ribbons and beads The austerity of theSecond World War led to their eventual decline as an everyday pieceof a womanrsquos wardrobe
Nowadays hats and the ever popular fascinator are seeing a resurgencenot in the least thanks to the influences of women such as Sarah JessicaParker Paloma Faith and of course Kate Middleton
Choosing a hat or fascinator needs careful consideration Height faceshape and personality all play a part in shaping your decision A boldfascinator is a statement piece and is certainly not for the shy
Everyone can wear some type of hat or fascinator its just a matter of finding the right one to suityou
There are some amazing British professional milliners working today not least including thelikes of Stephen Jones and Phillip Treacy but you will also find in the UK some wonderful millinersselling their designs on Etsy each producing unique designs to put the perfect finish to any outfitwhatever the occasion
Off With Her Head is run by self taught designer and milliner Lisa Poolewhose designs are fuelled by a love of vintage fashion and moviecostumes
Based in Fife Scotland she prides herself on creating each piece by handand loves to create bespoke pieces for her customers
Off With Her Head focuses on creating vintage inspired pieces andalthough Lisa creates hats and fascinators from various eras in historyshe admits to being a little biased towards the 1950rsquos as its her favouritedecade for fashion
Whatever direction Off With Her Head takes the ethos behind the businessremains the same - quality hats and fascinators at a reasonable price
Off With Her Head ndash Vintage Inspired Millinery
Etsy Store httpwwwetsycomshopmadamequeenyWebsite wwwoffwithherheadcouk
Annalisa Maria Millinery
Annalisa of Annalisa Maria Millinery has always adored hats andbeing the type of person who loves to make things she quitenaturally became interested in millinery
Trained at Kensington and Chelsea college famous for itsmillinery alumni where she learnt all the basics of the trade
She now works out of her London home producing beautifulone of a kind hats and head pieces
Etsy Store wwwetsycomshopdesignsbyannalisa
With so much choice there is absolutely no excuse not to finish your outfit with stunning hatfascinator or headpiecehellip and as they say
Written By Lisa PooleFrom Off With Her Headwwwoffwithherheadcouk
Ella Gajewska is a professional milliner working in London Hats are thelove of her life She has been working as a milliner since 1996 thoughher passion for hats started much earlier in her childhood when Ellacreated hats for her dolls to give them a bit more of an extravagantlook
Having achieved success in Poland where she was a milliners ateliermanager and an inspiring teacher for other young milliners she decidedto take her chances in London the world capital of hats
Since 2001 Ella Gajewska has had the chance of working for renownedateliers and milliners Working in England alongside the best designersof various head wear she has had the chance to develop and perfecther skills even more
Ella Gajewska
Etsy Store wwwetsycomshopEllaGajewskaWebsite wwwellagajewskacom
Little Miss B Design
Little Miss B started out making hats and accessories for herselfand friends uninspired by what was available on the high streetShe decided that shersquod like to give a wider audience the chanceto own a unique Little Miss B creation so began her foray intofashion and millinery
Her inspirations comes from days gone by when style andglamour were more apparent and the quality of craftsmanshipwas high From the 1920s to the 1960s vintage to rockabillyLittle Miss B brings it to the present day with a modern twist
Etsy Store httpwwwetsycomshopLittleMissBDesign
Ive always been artistic in one form or another As a child I always paintedand drew a lot At school I did everything from make a wooden fish pencilholder perspex badges pottery and childrens toys I was very into pencildrawings and shading but I loved using watercolour and other textures formy more cartoonManga style art
I was never very good at what back then was deemed the Girlie stuff I wasmore into woodwork and moulding and graphics This is probably what mademe choose my Bachelor of Science Degree in Architectural Technology Formy degree we used a lot of CAD (Computer Aided Design) to design buildings and building materialsWe also had to craft models of some of our own designs with foam board and other materials I wasin my element with this part of the curriculum
The great thing about craftdesignmaking things - whatever you want to call it is that there is a freedom in Art that you do not get anywhere else There is no right and wrong and no rules The rules come later At the point of concept it is just you and your imagination Which is very liberating and also quite scary because we are conditioned to think within the constraints of rules Art has no rules
Dianes Celebrity ChatsOur lovely Di from Peggyrsquos Knits chats to another celebrity about crafting
Tanya has worked on a number of shows the most recent being the character Adele Alfrey in ITVrsquos Emmerdale She has also worked on other familiar shows with awardwinning producers directors and writers She starred in the BBCcomedy Kerching Her first professional role was in Holby CityShe is also an accomplished presenter and budding playwrightTanya is a former student of the National Youth TheatreTanya told me how she has been artistic about how she sees artand her views on crafting
Please all take a look at Tanyarsquos website which ishttpwwwtanyavitalcom
What you will needFleece material - To determine the size needed- measure the circumference of your head(around your ears) and add 12 inch for seamallowance This will be the width and the lengthmeasurement is 20 inchesCotton thread in the same or contrasting colour
Average Head Sizes -
Newborn (6 months and younger)Circumference 14 to 17 inchesCrown 8 to 10 inches
Infant (6 to 12 months)Circumference 16 to 19 inchesCrown 11 to 12 inches
Child (12 months to 3 years)Circumference 18 to 20 inchesCrown 11 to 12 inches
Step 1 Lay out your fleece on a flat surface anddraw out a rectangle using the measurements forthe hat size required This should be 20 inches longand the width will be the circumference measurementof the size hat your making plus 12 inch seamallowance So to make a hat for a child with a headcircumference of 15 inches the width should be15 12 inches
Claire from Elderberry Arts shows us how to make achildrens hat from fleece material
Why not experiment this Easter holiday
Below are easy to follow instructions and a sizing guide
Thin length of fleece approx 12 inches by12 inchRuler or tape measureTailors chalk or penScissorsPinsSewing needles or sewing machine
Elderberrry Arts
Step 4 Place the right sides of the fleecetogether and pin along the length of thematerial Sew along this edge either by handor machine Knot ends and sewing inside thehem You can trim this hem to make it even andneater if needed
Step 5 Turn the hat right side out andarrange it so the seam is in the middleback From the bottom of your hatmeasure the crown length and place thefleece strip under the hat at this point
Step 6 Tie the ends of thestrip together and pull tightto gather hat
Step 7 Now cut the topsection of the hat into stripsapproximately 12 inch wide
Once youve cut all the wayround the strips can be trimmedto shorten them if required
You could also thread plastic ponybeads on some or all of the stripsknotting the bottom to secure them
Step 2 Cut out the rectangleof fleece Then cut a strip 12inches by 12 inch of fleecefrom the leftover material
Step 3 Pin a hem approx12 inch wide across theshorter length of fleece
Sew either by hand or machineKnot ends and sewing insidethe hem
Written by Elderberry Artshttpwwwelderberryartscouk
Rug Making Ragtag RugsWith
Looking for something fabulous to make using all your old T-shirts sweat shirts and other disusedgarments If so this could be the project for you
The craft of making rag rugs is very traditional and dates backto the mid eighteen hundreds itrsquos still very relevant today whatwith the importance of recycling the other great thing aboutit is that the design on the rug can pretty much be whateveryou want it to be - an image of your pet or your house anabstract or geometric design or something floral traditionalhellip itrsquos totally up to you and your imagination
The technique Irsquoll be using for this project is a method calledlsquohookingrsquo which is very simple and produces a soft and hardwearing pile Irsquove tried to keep everything simple and equipment to a minimum so that everyone canhave a go My favourite fabrics to use are the afore mentioned T-shirts and sweat shirts as they frayvery little but most textiles of a medium thickness can be used
MaterialsVirtually any material can be used in a rag rug some materials are easier to work with than othersThe best materials to use for hooking include T-shirts sweat shirts lightweight cottonssynthetics amplightweight woolsynthetic jumpers Fabrics such as heavy weight denim are not suitableFor this project Irsquove used plain fabrics but patterned fabrics can also be used
HookingStep 1 Working with the Hessian design side up poke the hook through the Hessian and grab thestrip of fabric underneath with the hook
Step 2 Pull the end of the strip of fabric up through the Hessian so that you leave a tail of at least1 cm sticking up
Step 3 Move the hook along about half a centimeter poke it back down through the Hessian andpull a loop of fabric up through to the top of the Hessian a loop height of about 1 cm is best thenjust repeat this technique filling in the required area when you reach the end of a fabric strip pullthe end up through the Hessian and trim it so itrsquos the same height as the loopsMake sure your loops are dense enough and you canrsquot see any of the Hessian backing There is noneed to physically fix the loops in place as they will stay put automatically due to the thickness ofThe fabric and the denseness of the loops
What you will needA piece of Hessian measuring 90 cm x 110 cmSelection of fabrics cut into strips measuring1 - 2 cm wide depending on the thickness ofthe fabric and avoid any seamsRug hookDressmakers pinsScissors
Large-eyed needleBall of woolMarker penYard stick metre ruler2 sheets of thin A4 card or a flattened cereal packetCompassPencil
Ragtag Rugs Rug Making Ragtag RugsWith
Step 1 Using the compass and pencildraw two circles measuring 185 cmacross on the sheets of card and cut theseout using the scissors
Step 2 Using the marker pen and metre rule draw a rectangle on the piece of Hessian measuring63 cm x 84 cm leaving a boarder of about 12 cm all the way around the rectangle Divide therectangle into four giving you central lines for the width and length of the rug Place the card spotson the Hessian in the appropriate places and draw around them using the marker pen for the halfand quarter spots fold one of the card templates accordingly and then draw around it Draw in yourdesigns within the spots
Step 3 Fold under the raw edges of the Hessian and stitch with arunning stitch using the large-eyed needle and wool this is to preventthe Hessian fraying selvedge edges can be left as they are
Step 4 Hook in the strips of fabrics filling in the spots first and then thebackground You can either use the design shown here or make up yourown spots and colour scheme
Step 5 When completed lay the rug face down on the floor and turn in a hem of about 6 cms tothe back of the rug and pin it all the way around fold and pin the corners as neatly as possibleSew the hem to the back of the rug with a running stitch using the large-eyed needle and woolVoila You have a rug
wwwfolksycomshopsragtagrugs
Written by Ragtag Rugs
SupplierFor an American Style Rug Hook costing about pound750 and also Hessian go to Fred Aldous CraftSupplies wwwfredaldouscouk
NoteSome people prefer to use a rug making frame which helps to keep the rugsquare but as the rug wersquore making here is fairly small and wersquore keepingthings simple Irsquove dispensed with this
The first item I sold online was on my Folksy shop(httpwwwfolksycomshopsLaurabyTheSea) and was a vintage ceramic andbead brooch the buyer was very pleased with it and gave me great feedback
Tell us about yourselfMy name is Laura and I live by the sea in the East of England Pakefield to be precise I live with my wonderful Brother who is a musician so we have a very creative household and in our bright conservatory I make ldquoLaura by The Seardquo jewellery (from necklaces brooches amp bracelets to ear rings and hair slides) using vintage ceramics I break vintage crockery hand sand it to ensure there are no sharp edges and make the shards into beautiful jewellery
When did your crafting begin and whyI began studying ceramics during my BA Hons degree in Fine Art at The University of Portsmouthwhich is where my obsession for vintage crockery began to grow Initially I began by making newplates and tea cups with vintage shards in but soon the beauty of the ceramic shards startedappealing to me which is when I had the idea of making jewellery out of them - and one day I justdid it and havenrsquot stopped since I just love how the cute patterns really stand out against the silverchain
What was the first item you made to sell online
What is your biggest crafting achievement and why
I think my biggest crafting achievement since starting Laura by The SeaJewellery has to be getting interviewed for the national ldquoMAKE Jewelleryrdquomagazine as their new ldquoIt accessoryrdquo designer I totally didnrsquot expect themto contact me via my Folksy store
Other than crafting what else do you like to do
In my spare time I like to paint I write I stronglybelieve it is the simple things in life that count I am a collectorof anything old with a story and pick up anything found on the seashore First morning sunshine trawling antique treasure troves walks on the sand with my pooch Sepia tones and seeing life through a lens makes me happy I do a photographyfashion blog(laurabytheseatumblrcom) and am a very sociable person These are a fewof my favourite things and yes that should include raindrops on roses andbrown paper packages tied up with string
Where would you like to be in 5 years
In 5 years time I would love to be able to do this on a full time basis tomake enough money to live I am aiming to have my jewellery sold in manyUK wide independent stores and hopefully a few abroad However theultimate dream is to have my jewellery featured in Vogue
The first item I sold online was on my Folksy shop(httpwwwfolksycomshopsLaurabyTheSea) and was a vintage ceramic andbead brooch the buyer was very pleased with it and gave me great feedback
Where does your inspiration come from
My inspiration comes from trawling antique and vintage shops photography (one of my current favphotographers is Elizabeth Sarah from America) and I am always inspired by other people When Iget talking with my friends about anything creative the juices start flowing and I get more designideas I am also inspired and work along with music (anything from RampB amp Hip-hop to Reggae andJazz I have an eclectic mix)
What are your favourite materials and why
Vintage ceramics because I adore the vintage floral prints on the crockeryand like the idea of being as eco-friendly as possible and like to only userecycled materials in my jewellery
What is favourite shop online that isnrsquot yours and why
My favourite online shop has to be Loglike a contemporary gift and home ware store with vintageelements The owner makes cute candlesticks from vintage plates and saucers that look amazing onmy coffee table (see httpwwwfolksycomshopsLoglike)
Has any person helped or supported you more than any other
I would have to say my parents and Brother Not just financially when Iwas a poor struggling student but they are supportive with everything Ido in life and I just couldnrsquot do without them My brother is more like abest friend
Tell us a random fact about yourself
I have 23 dresses in my wardrobe and have a vinyl collection of mostly 1980rsquos music (my guiltypleasure)
httpwwwfolksycomshopsLaurabyTheSea
Visit
Lauraat
in the GardenHi Irsquom Tina
Good to have you visit with me again in The GardenI think we will sit in the conservatory this morning the sun is juststreaming in it is so wonderful to feel the warmth after such a coldwinter I have the kettle on and some little iced biscuits butremember we must not over indulge me especially as I have notbeen working in the garden so much just sitting in doors munching
Well Spring is here at last and it does seem to be in a hurrythis year the crab apple is already in bud and also the fruittrees
I had my own little piece of garden and the plants therewere in my charge if I forgot to water them and theydied mother would say you have to be responsible givethem a little care and you will be rewarded with so muchbeauty and as I look around the garden today thebeauty just takes my breath awayI checked out the herbs after the winter and just look atthis monster itrsquos the parsley how great is this
Here is a photo of the willow catkins or lambs tails as mymother used to call them she was a country woman andknew every wild flower by their old country names sheloved all nature and her garden and was my inspirationfrom an early age
wwwtina-in-the-gardenblogspotcom
Also I think that this flower is really confused it is of coursean antirrhinum when I emptied the summer bedding fromthe tubs some were still fine so I planted them in thegarden and as you can see have been well rewarded Alsosome silver foliage plants which I cannot remember thename of and of course have lost thelabel they seem to think that it isalready summer
At the moment you can get into the bog it does not look half as mysterious as it does inthe summer you can even see the streamMy better half and I have one or two projects this summer well I have theideas and he makes them work howlucky am I So watch this space
Oh you have to leave well thank you again for coming be safe until your next visit withme in The Garden
Your green fingered friendTina
The bluebells are coming throughin the wood not long now beforethey flower they have to hurrybefore the trees get their leaves
Creative CraftingAdvertise with
wwwcreative-craftingcomadvertisehtml
A mouse herecould take customers
to your store
We care about yourcraft business
Prices startfrom
only pound2
There are a lot of different crafts to choose fromThis series of articles will discover some of the more unusual and also some
old world crafts that may have been almost forgotten
This article was created by
The Crystal Ladyhttpwwwmysticearthcouk
Sold by Amazon
Knitting with Dog Hairby Anne Montgomery
Contains easy step-by-step instructions for collecting cleaningstoring and spinning your dogs fur The book includes originalknitting patterns for the novice and the pro - from mittens toshawls to lace collars from your cats hair
How to Knit a Dog Hair Sweater
E-How
The brushed undercoat of a dog is called chiengora and can be used for knittingcrocheting or felting just like lambs wool or other yarn Dogs hair has been used forcenturies for weaving blankets and other coverings Dogs hair is much warmer thanwool Here is how to knit a sweater from dog hair
After the tutorial the writer goes on to leave a warning that dog hair is much warmerthan wool and an entire garment made of dog hair will be too hot to wear
I also found a very fascinating article about a lady called Laurie Moy on the Boulder DailyCamera website
Better a sweater from a dog you know and love than from a sheepyoull never meet
Warp and woof-woof Making clothes out of dog hair
Read more Boulder Daily Camera
This was discovered in an American newspaper by Creative Craftings Tinawe just had to tell you about it
I did some Googling about this and apparently there is quite alot about it I found a tutorial on the popular E-How site
Irsquom sure like me yoursquoll find this quite fascinatingIf any of our spinners out there fancy a go atcreating some yarn from their pooches we wouldlove to see some of the results It is also a greatidea for recycling all of that fluff that you areconstantly sweeping up off your sofa or yourcarpet There really is a use for most things afterall
Salt dough is so quick and easy (and therapeutic) to make endlessly adaptable a joy to sharewith the kids and has the advantage of being made from store-cupboard basics (although youcould make these projects in clay or fimo or even plasticine)The drawbacks are that it takes a while to cookpaintvarnish it will dissolve in wet or very dampconditions and will break if you drop it So allow yourself a couple of days to produce a finishedpiece and varnish thoroughly when decorated to protect against any damage
Making a Batch of Salt Dough
1 Mug of Table Salt2 Mugs of Plain FlourApprox 1 Mug of Tepid Water (Add final frac14 slowly)1 Tablespoon of Olive or Vegetable Oil (Optional)
Mix the flour and salt together in a bowlIf you are using oil (which helps to add elasticity but is optional and not necessary) add it to themug of water Add the water (with or without oil) to the salt and flour mixAdd most of the water stirring into the dry ingredients with a wooden spoon Add the last of thewater carefully as you will need more or less depending on humidity and the gradequality of theflourYou need to add enough to bind the ingredients without making it too sticky Empty onto a lightlyfloured surface and knead for at least ten minutes until the dough is smooth and slightly warm
A Few Tips for Modelling Salt DoughRoll out salt dough onto a lightly floured surface with a floured rolling pin or you could use abottle if you havent got a rolling pin Gently flattening salt dough with the heels of your hands willwork too but keep moving the dough to keep it even and turn it over to the fresh smooth sidejust before you begin cutting shapesKeep the thickness of your pieces under an inch much thicker than this and they wont hardenproperly in the middleUse a sharp knife to cut salt dough shapes but a blunt knife (or the back of a knife) is useful whenmarking lines onto the dough A scalpel or craft knife is best for cutting out intricate shapesUse pastry cutters plasticine moulds forks hair grips scrubbing brushes experiment withanything you have lying around the house
Cooking Salt DoughCook your salt dough pieces slowly in a very low oven The cooler and slower the better to preventdistortion in the cooking process These pieces were cooked at 140275 degrees or Gas Mark 1 forapproximately 2 hours but I often leave them all day in the oven at its lowest setting
Heartmade Gifts
Decorating Salt DoughYou can decorate your pieces before or after the cooking process Try adding food colouringherbs and spices tea or coffee to your dough as you knead it Or try painting your uncooked piecewith an egg wash for a lovely golden glowExperiment with various mediums on cooked pieces Gouache and acrylics work well but posterpaint is fine (if a little limited in colour variation) and you could try chalks felt tips or crayonsUse glue to add decorations including glitter sequins fabric bows tiny scraps of paper etcIts nice to leave the dough perfectly natural sometimes and sometimes a combination of naturaldough and painted areas works very wellVarnish thoroughly Any varnish will work I tend to use a spray varnish as a first coat to set thepaints then I add a few coats of a super store own brand wood varnish (If you need yourfinished piece to be especially waterproof try yacht varnish but be aware that it will tend tochange the colours making them yellowish)Use a small brush to get into all the nooks and crannies and allow each coat to dry thoroughlybefore applying the next one The more coats you apply the better protected your final pieceHowever unvarnished salt dough I have made for personal use (or the odd forgotten piece) hassurvived very well even in a slightly damp old house So dont let a lack of varnish deter you fromtrying salt dough But if you are creating a family heirloom four or five coats of a good varnish willensure it lasts for yearsTry these two Easter projects the ldquoEgg-stra Specialrdquo eggs are very quick and simple enough to dowith small children the primrose basket takes a while and is a little fiddly but well worth tryingand very easy to adapt by choosing your own flower or perhaps some other motif
~ Egg-stra Special Eggs ~
1 Form an egg shape from a small ball of dough by rolling in your hands and pressthis gently onto your baking tray(Its easier to build your salt dough pieces directly onto the tray you will use tocook them rather than try and move them while they are still uncooked I havebuilt my eggs onto the kitchen surface because it will be easier for you to see whatIm doing)
2 Roll out a piece of salt dough and use it to cover the bottom end of youregg like a blanket When you are happy with the position gently lift andrun a wet paintbrush between the two pieces to glue them together
3 Cut out an egg cup shape around your egg
4 Use a damp paintbrush to push the egg cup onto the eggand ensure it sticks
(A damp paintbrush also helps soften edges and blend any creases or cracks)
5 Uncurl an old metal paperclip and push into the dough to form a hangingloop You can use a piece of any wire I try and use paperclips or a piece of wire
coat-hanger as I like to recycle An alternative hanging method is to create a smallhole (or two holes for larger pieces) and thread a ribbon or piece of leather shoelacethrough the hole tying it to make a loop)
6 Cut out a small bow shape from a piece of flattened dough
7 Cut two ribbon ends from a rectangle of flattened dough
8 Use a wet paintbrush to layer the ribbon ends onto thetop of your egg
9 Attach the bow in position And add a small piece to the centre ofthe bow to finish
10 Cook
11 Decorate in whatever way takes your fancy hellip have fun
~ Primrose Basket ~
1 Cover a bowl in greaseproof paper and turn upside down onto your baking tray
2 Roll out some dough to approx 5mm thickness and cut into thin stripslong enough to cover your bowl
3 Lay four of these strips across the bottom ofyour bowl
4 Begin weaving four in the opposite direction by gently liftingalternate strips out of the way laying the cross strip and replacingthe lifted strips
5 Then add one strip to each side until you reach the edge of the bowl
6 Trim the edge with a knife or fold the stripsback to form a rough bowl lip You can indentsomething on the dough to secure anddecorate
7 Cook
8 Carefully remove the bowl and paper
9 Make primrose flowers and leaves and glue them to the rim with a wetpaintbrush replacing your bowl in the oven for a short whileLeaves ndash cut rough leaf shapes out of a piece of flatted dough and mark theveins and indent the edges with the back of a knifeFlowers ndash use a small heart cutter to cut 5 heart shapes and place on the rim with pointstogether indenting the centre with your fingertip and then marking with the end of a paintbrushPaint with whichever medium you prefer or have to hand I have used acrylics here leaving thebasket natural and painting the primrose leaves green and the flowers yellow adding someorange to the centres of the flowers while the yellow is still damp for a blurred effect
This article was written by Diannefrom Heartmade Gifts
Join Heartmade Gifts on Facebook
wwwheartmadegiftswordpresscom
Lilac Lace Heart LocketJewellery by Bina
Vintage Victorian StyledSweetheart Locket
Miss Bohemia
pound17
pound15
Emerald Bewitched
youmin
$40
The Bright Forest Locket
marisolspoon
$35
Cameral Locket
mydogandi
$2750
Creative CraftingFavourite
This article was created by
The Crystal Ladyhttpwwwmysticearthcouk
Lockets may sound very old fashioned but if you have a wander through thehandmade sites you will find a wealth of very modern and extremely beautifuldesigns Perfect for you to carry your loved ones with you wherever you go
Bee Joyful LocketThe Whimsical Wren
pound10
SteampunkWatch Mechanism
Locketedmdesigns
$85
Luscious LocketsLuscious Lockets
Who likes Chocolate CakeThis is a great recipe for Easter Mothers day or any other daylets admit it we all love chocolate
Ingredients
7 oz self raising flour8 oz caster sugar1 teaspoon of salt2 tablespoons of cocoa powder4 oz margarine2 eggs beaten with5 tablespoons evaporated milk5 tablespoons water1 teaspoon vanilla essence
1 Sift together flour sugar and salt and cocoa2 Rub in margarine3 Stir in eggs essence and liquids then beat well4 Grease and flour 2 8 inch cake tins divide the mixture between them5 Bake in a moderate over 325-350 F gas mark 3 about 35 minutes6 When cold sandwich together and cover in milk chocolate icing
Milk chocolate Icing
Ingredients
2 and a half oz margarine or butter4 tablespoons cocoa8 oz sieved icing sugar3 tablespoons hot milk1 teaspoon vanilla essence
Melt the margarine or butter and blend incocoa powder then stir in icing sugar milkand vanilla essence Beat until smooth andthick
We hope you all enjoy the recipe we would love to see anypictures of chocolate cakes that you make
Instructions
Instructions
Written and reviewed by Peggyrsquos Knitshttppeggyscollectionwebscom
By Sprinkles Sparkleshttpwwwsprinklessparklescouk
All prices are correct at the time of publication
Budget amp LuxurySpring special
Woodland DaffodilsCharm Bracelet
Coco Angel Rosepound1600
Spring Flower Hair ClipFlutter2me
pound450
Spring flowers broochDi Does Craft
pound800
Pink Spring Clutchfunky diva designs
pound1750
Cupcake BuntingCotton Cottage
pound1650
Purple TulipsWildrose Ridge
pound350
Chickadees and LilacsStained Glass WindowStained Glass Addie
pound4940
The Charlotte - SageRosalind Jamespound14500
Springtime 16 Crayon RollApple n Amos
pound509
Buttercup earrings in softyellow with peridot and brass
Goblins Marketpound401
Springtime DalaFolk Horse HangingDecoration - YellowCourt and Spark
pound400
D A P H N E - BrokenChina Plate Pendant
and Sterling Silver NecklaceDesigns by Mila
pound2228
To make the leaves
Using DK yarn and 300 mm hook make 5 leaves as follows
Rnd 1 9ch dc in 2nd ch 1htr in next ch 1tr in each of next 6ch 3ch ss in base of last tr worked
Now work on opposite side of stitches by turning the work
Rnd 2 3ch 1tr in each of next 6ch 1htr in next ch dc ss in top of first stFasten off and sew in loose ends
Materials
Small quantity of DK yarn I have used a yarn with awool-mix but any DK yarn of your choice will be suitableSmall quantity of kid mohair yarn (use two strands together)300 mm hook200 mm hookOne large buttonBrooch pinSewing needle
To make the small rose
Using a 200 mm hook and working two strands of kid mohair yarn together 13ch
Rnd 1 1tr 2ch 1tr in 4th ch (skip 2ch 1tr 2ch 1tr in next ch) 3 times (4 v- spaces)
Rnd 2 3ch 6tr into next v-space 1dc into space between v-spaces Continue with 6tr into eachv-space and 1dc in between spaces until end ss into last ch Fasten off
Roll the work with fingers from start to finish to create a small rose flower and sew together at thebase
Assembling the brooch
Turn the flower so the right side is facing up and sew the button in the centre of the flowerAttach the rose to the centre of the button as shown in diagram Sew a brooch pin to the back of theflower to complete the brooch
Arrange the 5 leaves to form a circle so thecorners of the leaves are touching Sew eachcorner together to form the petals of aflower
Turn the work so the wrong side is facing upand close the hole by sewing together withthe same DK yarn used to make the leaves
Crochet Flower Brooch
ch - chain stitchdc - double crochethtr - half treble crochetss - slip stitchtr - treble crochetst - stitch
Crochet Mobile PhoneiPod Cosy
Materials
50g Dk yarn in mustard colourSmall quantity of DK yarn in bright pink for picot edgingof cosy and small roseSmall quantity of DK yarn in sage green for leaves of roseflowerSize 300mm hook
Instructions for the cosy
The cosy can be made to fit a mobile phoneiPod of your choice
Pattern note the pattern is worked in dc throughout and worked in the round using the tapestrycrochet method of crochet This involves carrying a second yarn below the first making it verystrong
Foundation row
Using one strand of DK yarn in mustard make a chain that measures the width of your mobilephoneipod
Rnd 1 dc across row until the last chain 2dc in last chain Turn work
Rnd 2 Begin to carry a second strand of mustard yarn throughouteach round and every round from now on This yarn is not worked butcarried below the first strand of yarn
Work along the opposite side of the row just worked 1dc in first ch1ch in each chain until the last chain 2dc in last chain Now mark thelast stitch just worked with a different colour yarn so you can see theend of the round and keep moving this marker up to the last stitchworked
Rnd 3 Dc in each chain around working in spirals moving the stitchmarker as the piece grows Continue until the work measures thedesired length to fit the mobileiPod Fasten off and tie in loose ends
ch - chain stitchdc - double crochethtr - half treble crochetss - slip stitchtr - treble crochetst - stitch
Instructions for rose flower
Rnd 1 Using DK yarn in bright pink 1tr 2ch 1tr in 4th ch (skip 2ch1tr 2ch 1tr in next ch) 3 times (4 v- spaces)
Rnd 2 3ch 6tr into next v-space 1dc into space between v-spacesContinue with 6tr into each v-space and 1dc in between spaces untilend ss into last ch Fasten off
Roll the work with fingers from start to finish to create a small rose flower and sew together at thebase
Instructions for leaves
Using DK yarn and 300mm hook make 2 leaves as follows
Rnd 1 5ch dc in 2nd ch 1htr in next ch 1tr in each of next 2ch 3ch ss in base of last tr workedNow work on opposite side of stitches by turning the work
Rnd 2 3ch 1tr in each of next 2 ch 1htr in next ch dc ss in top of first st Fasten off and sew inloose ends
Assembly
Sew the leaves to the reverse of the rose and attach to the cosy as shown in the picture
Picot edging
Rnd 1 Using DK yarn in bright pink dc into each stitch around the edge of the cosy opening ss tofirst dc
Rnd 2 3ch ss into 2nd chain from hook ss into base of 3ch dc into next 2ch 3ch continuefrom to ss into last ch Fasten off and sew in loose ends
Written by Andrea Lesley Crochethttpwwwfolksycomshopsandrealesleycrochet
Materials
T - shirt - colour your choiceScissorsChainSewing needle and threadCorsage or embellishments
Step 1 First get a plain whitet-shirt
Step 2 Then cut off the neck Step 3 Now sew two pieces of chain to each side of where theneckline should be
Step 4 Cut a triangle out ofthe bottom of the t-shirt
Step 5 Tie the two ends thatare left into a knot or bow
Step 6 Finally add a corsageor flower to the front
Step 7 Now you have a bang on trend crop top simply wear over a vest top I loved designing andgokking up this t-shirt it took minutes and didnt cost a lot either
Corsage made by Madam SalamihttpwwwetsycomshopMadamSalami
Written By Heidi Jackson
Favourite finds from around the crafting communityThis months focus is Easter and Spring
Click on the images to take you to their store
Online StreetMISI
Ring With A FlowerBlue Fish Handmade
pound800
Spring necklace in glassand sterling silver
RosieJo Jewellerypound1275
Easter Eggs CardNaomi Constable
pound250
FOLKSY
Easter rabbit cushionwith choccie eggs
Phoebelinas Treasurespound500
Easter Knitted BagsFluerette
pound300
Small Gorgeous FeltSpring Bouquets
Spare Minute Productionspound2000
WOW THANK YOU
Green And Brown PetalFlower Bracelet
Sprinkles Sparklespound3750 inc pampp
Handmade Pink Canvas Wall Art(Set of 3)
Craft on Canvaspound3900 inc pampp
Blue Easter ChickDharmapaintings
pound12 20 inc pampp
All prices correct at the time of publication
Favourite finds from around the crafting communityThis months focus is Easter and Spring
Click on the images to take you to their store
Best PicksUGLY BE GONE
Handpainted DottyDolly Pegs
Ticketty Boopound650
Quirky Motifs ShopperRachael Taylor
pound1500
Collette the Cow BibBaby Boutique
pound1100
The Cutie Pie - recycledpaper butterfly shadow boxThe WingSpan Collection
pound6421
Easter 1 Square PendantHappy Easter Spring Flowers
Miss Gooseberry Pendantspound321
ETSY
RETROEasterplastic springfling daisy clip-on earringsamber brown makes art
pound208ARTFIRE
Easter Egg Mini Cards 2x2 6Peculiar Parchment
pound170
Spring Chicks - Little FusedGlass Dish - Easter Gift
First Light Glasspound926
4 Chocolate Easter ParadeBunny Lollipops extra large
Candy Cottagepound741
All prices correct at the time of publication
What you will need3 x 10 inch lengths of purple Cylon cord10mm silver plated lobster clasp and clasp tag2 x silver plated fold over necklace endsApprox 24 Rose Quartz gemstone chip beads(holes need to be large enough to thread onelength of the cylon cord though)2 x 4mm silver plated jump rings
Rose Quartz is the stone of unconditionalloveIt purifies and opens the heart helping thewearer to love themselves as well as others
Rose Quartz draws off negative energy andhelps release unexpressed emotions
Encourages self forgiveness and acceptanceaids self trust and self worth
I find it easier to use a macrame board for making this type of bracelet as it make it easier tokeep the design neat but its not essential I use a simple board made from a cork notice boardand pins I also use nylon nosed pliers to fold over the necklace ends as I find metal pliers oftenleave marks but again they arent essential
Step 2 Thread a chip bead onto each of the outer lengths ofcord
Step 3 Cross the outer cordsover the middle one as youwould in a braid Then braid thecords again
Step 1 Attach one of thenecklace ends to one end ofthe three lengths of CyloncordYou can then use the hole inthe end to attach the braceletto your board
Make a Rose Quartz Bracelet
Step 6 Attach the secondnecklace end to the three cordwithout cutting them as it makesit easier The ends can then betrimmed with a craft knife orsharp scissors
Step 7 Using the jump ringsattach the clasp to one end ofthe bracelet and the clasp tagto the other
Step 4 Thread two chip beadson to the new outer lengths ofcord and braid as in the previousstep
Step 5 Repeat step three and four untilthe bracelet reaches seven inchesor your desired length
(The clasp section will measureapproximately one inch)
If the cord ends become frayed they canbe fixed with a little super glue
Step 8 And there you areOne finished rose quartzbracelet
Would you like to share a craft project with Creative Crafting
Let us know what project you would like toshare with us
Anything from jewellery knitting and crochetcrafts paper crafts or a craft you feel hasbeen forgotten about
Email thecrystalladycreative-craftingcom
Written by Elderberry Artshttpwwwelderberryartscouk
To those who are not yet aware Prince William and Kate Middleton will tie the knot this month onFriday 29th April in a quiet little ceremony at Westminster Abbey To some this may mean getting aday off to celebrate the nuptials or actually attend the whole affair To others like myself who areself-employed there will be no day off and hence little difference from a normal day but we can stillbe happy for the two love birds entering a state of marital bliss for the first timeIn these uncertain economic times I am not sure how the Royal Wedding will affect the economyhow much money will people want to spend Will this mean street parties like those that dominatemany peoplersquos memories from Prince Charles and Dianarsquos wedding back in 1981 Will there be arush to purchase ridiculously crass lsquosouvenirrsquo mugs plates tea towels or will the market just not bethere at all with all the unsold Royal Wedding goods in the pound shops by JuneThe handmade and crafting sector needs to be aware of the sales potential created by this Royalevent and so products should be made available to support the celebrations and possibly make thecountry feel good about itself again Maybe a lovely warm spring day in April will be good for thecountry and make it forget its economic woes for a few hoursWe asked a number of our sellers about their experience of the last big Royal Wedding (Charles andDiana) and what they are going to do this time to celebrate There were mixed feelings ndash manywere too young to remember much about the 1981 event and even though I remember a day offfrom school I cannot remember any street parties or spontaneous Mardi Gras This time around Ithink money will be a big factor and most people will not stray too far from a bit of home baking inred white and blue and also a show of patriotic bunting Union Jacks are quite the lsquoin thingrsquo at themoment for interior design and so a patriotic statement may double as being hip and trendy
Kim Lampard of Zigzag Bunting thinks a great way tocelebrate the Royal Wedding is to make your own buntingShe suggests pulling together a pile of fabrics that you nolonger need but that hold cherished memories for you forexample your daughterrsquos first cute dress a tea-towel youbought on a special holiday an old bedspread made by your
Granny Even if the items are damaged so cannot be passed on to others there is always a littlecorner that can be cut up into a triangle to make a bunting flag Mix a few of these together and ifyou have enough for a colour scheme (such as red white and blue) fine but donrsquot worry the flagsdonrsquot even need to be the same size Sometimes a shabby chic lsquoMix and Matchrsquo approach turns outto be perfect Sew the fabric triangles onto a piece of ribbon or bias tape and you will have awonderful string of bunting to decorate for the special day You and your family will remember notonly the Royal Wedding when you bring out that bunting but have extra glimpses of their past inthe fabrics Definitely a memento to cherish
Gaye Weekes of A amp V Designs now lives in Snowdonia North Wales and onlyan hour away from Anglesey where the Royal couple will begin their marriedlife She has no doubt had that His Highness has been hovering over theirremote valley in his helicopter over recent months Gaye plans to be flying redwhite and green Welsh bunting for the wedding Her bunting is made fromvintage fabric from the 1950s and 1960s - a cotton heavy woven greenand cream floral and a jolly red and white gingham She adds ldquo
rdquo
This article was written by
from
httpwwwwowthankyoucouk
Karine Ait-Mohamed of The Pink Fairy Cake isFrench but now lives in England She says ldquo
rdquo In the spirit of the occasion Karinehas produced a product that combines both England and France into the celebration Shehas produced sets of two Union Jack hearts filled with lavender from Chateau la Gabelle inHaute-Provence
Lisa MacDonald of LisaMollyMacDonaldis quite enthusiastic about the weddingand getting caught up in the glamour of the
occasion ldquo
rdquo
Lou Carswell of Loubie Jewels has some prettyfantastic red white and blue jewellery which wouldbe suitable for a Royal wedding celebration She told
us ldquo
rdquo
So what can we gather from these observations It will be a nice idea to celebrate the RoyalWedding If we apply a little lsquowartimersquo austerity (handmade lends itself to recycling andupcycling) we shouldnrsquot have to spend a fortune We can step back from commercialism andbe involved in a low key but meaningful way that will make the event more memorable for itssimplicity and just a little thrift God Bless William and Kate
Tell us about yourself
My name is Sandra Ritchie I live in Cleethorpes UK with my husbandJason my 10 year old daughter Alisha my 2 year old son Alfred andour dog Dumbledore Primarily I am a housewife but in my sparetime I make jewellery of all kinds from beaded pieces to metal workbut mainly I make custom-made bespoke precious metal jewellery
When did your crafting begin and why
Many years ago I studied Jewellery and Metal Art at college andover time Ive collected the tools I needed but never got round tosetting up a workroom until 2009 when my Husband pointed outthat our Utility Room would be perfect for me to set up as aworkroom to start making jewellery again It seemed ideal Ialready had people interested in me making them some jewelleryand it meant I could stay at home and look after the children as wellas try to establish a name for myself as a Jewellery designermaker
What was the first item you made to sell online
The first item I made to sell whilst not specifically to sell online was asilver octopus necklace commissioned by an acquaintance of mine thathad seen the silver octopus necklace that I made for myself whilst atcollege and wanted one like it She has since purchased the silver andcopper entwined Dragon necklace and a commissioned silver Dragonand is back on my list for another piece to be made My number onefan I think
What is your biggest crafting achievement and why
I love all the pieces Ive created especially my Custom work but myfavourite piece of all is the Greenman necklace I was approached tomake something as a surprise for someone and was basically giventhe opportunity to produce something different to my usual pieces Ilove making pieces that are based on peoples ideas of what theywant that is really special but the Greenman necklace was mydesign based on what the customer wanted it to represent I had toteach myself etching for the piece as its something Id never learntand Im really pleased with how it worked out
Other than crafting what else do you like to do
I love spending time with my children and family I love baking andcooking too and I suppose I should admit to enjoying the oddrelaxing glass (or bottle) of nice wine when the children are in bed
wwwlittlefairycultcouk
Where would you like to be in 5 years
In 5 years time Id love to be in a better financial position so I canbuy silver and make silver jewellery to sell that isnt just Custom-made Ive started sneaking a few pieces of precious metal jewellerythat are for general sale onto my site
Where does your inspiration come from
My inspiration is usually from the customers themselves They tell mewhat it is they want and I design a piece to reflect that Sometimes theyalter the design slightly to reflect more of how they want it and that isfine For my bead jewellery its usually what beads I have in myworkroom that inspire my beaded pieces I very rarely buy beads for thereason that I have a design idea and usually just buy mixed lots of beadsand work with what I have
What are your favourite materials and why
I really love working with precious metals There is somethinguniquely satisfying about taking a flat sheet of metal and turning itinto a beautiful piece of jewellery Thats why I take pictures of thepieces as I am making them so that other people and the customerwhos item it is can enjoy seeing it progress from a blank piece ofprecious metal into the finished piece
What is favourite shop online that isnrsquot yours and why
Oh my There are so many amazing websites offering beautiful andunique handmade items but I will always take a look at Etsy to see ifthere is anything that catches my eye on there They have such a largevariety of designerssellers making almost everything but the kitchen sink(though I bet if you looked hard enough youd find one on there) Ireally enjoy the little treasuries they do too where you can browse aselection of items that are grouped together by themes
Has any person helped or supported you more than any other
I have had a lot of support from the good friends I have gained on Twitter and of coursemy real life friends have been extremely supportive too but the main reason I actuallysorted out my workroom (or corner of the utility room) was due to my husband insistingthat I start making jewellery again Luckily his insistence and support paid off virtuallystraight away when a friend asked for the octopus necklace I mentioned earlier to bemade
Tell us a random fact about yourself
I have known the sex of each child and whether Id be carrying one or more before I evenconceived them Fairly random but fact nevertheless
Kit includes seed beads 5 x handmade glass beads choker wire x 3 banglewire x 2 ring wire x 3 jewellery pliers beading mat instructions
Makes 8 fabulous and individual pieces of jewellery without the need forfiddly findings books or other money-wasters
Beaded Jewellery Kitpound12Japan Crafts
A coordinating selection of beads plus step-by-step full colour instructions to make your own version of the Jungle Collar design Learn how to work peyote stitch edge it with drops and embellish it with a lush fringe and beaded flowers and leaves Let your beading imagination run wild
Each kit is hand-picked and slightly different so the beads you receive may not be the exact onesshown in the photograph but you can be certain that your necklace will be uniqueThe kit comes carefully packaged in a handy reusable storage box the only things yoursquoll need inaddition are a beading needle a spool of nylon beading thread and some sharp scissors
Beadweaving Kit for Jungle Collar
pound38Lynn Davy
Fairy Earrings Jewellery Making Kit - Ages 7yrs+
pound5Jewellery Making Kits
These single kits are fabulous for all crafty and creative girls They also make great presents for school friends nieces sisters or even grown ups Each kit includes Sterling Silver earwires or studs a small selection of flowers for the skirt a pair of wings a few coloured glass pearls for the heads silver headpin Organza Bag Full set of instructionsSuitable for ages 7 years and up Requires a pair of pliers to finish off - all instructions included
Bracelet Kit - Chunky Swarovski Pearl and Crystal with Toggle Clasp
pound750Wonderstuff Craft Kits
A little kit of bronze Swarovski pearls and Golden Shadow Swarovski crystals silk and toggle clasp
Kit includes 11 x Swarovski 12mm Pearls Colour - Soft Bronze 3 x Swarovski Crystal 8mm Rondelles - Colour - Golden Shadow 8 x Swarovski Crystal 4mmBicones Colour - Light Colorado Topaz 1 x Silver Plated Toggle Bar 1 x Silver plated Toggle RingBracelet length of threading silk Instructions
This kit contains top quality beads to make an exquisite braceletno special tools are needed
Jewellery making kits
from the small crafterWersquove found a selection of wonderful beading kits for allages and experience These are not massed producedsets but offered by the small crafter
This article was created by The Crystal Lady httpwwwmysticearthcouk
This Months
This months lsquoMan of the Monthrsquo is Ade (Adrian)EdmondsonChosen by MegampMillie
This months lsquoLady of the Monthrsquo is GwenStefaniChosen by Claire Pearcy from Elderberry Arts
httpwwwgwenstefanicom
httpwwwunrealitytvcouklets-dance-for-comic-relieflets-dance-for-comic-relief-results-ade-edmondson-and-eighties-super-group-make-next-weeks-final
(Nothing like an April Fools)
This months lsquoBlog of the Month Awardrsquo goes to lsquoItrsquos All Fiddle Fartrsquo
httpitsallfiddlefartblogspotcom
This months lsquoShop of the Month Awardrsquo goes to lsquoJulias DriftwoodFurniturersquo
httpwwwfolksycomshopsseasandview123
ww
wc
reativ
e-cr
afting
co
mw
ww
cr
eative-c
on
nec
tion
snin
gc
om
CREATIVE CRAFTING
Our next issue will be available to read on
1st June 2010If you have missed any of our issues you
can find them to read on our websitewwwcreative-craftingcom
And also on our Social Network Creative Connectionswwwcreative-connectionsningcom
To advertise in Creative Crafting or to submit an article please contact Annaat thecrystalladycreative-craftingcom
AUGUSTSUMMER 2010
Issue 5
By Crafters for Crafters
Check out our
CraftersDirectory
CREATIVE CRAFTING
By Crafters for Crafters
Issue 3
ValentinesMothers Day 2010
HandcraftedWeddingSpecial
Valentine ampMothers Day
Projects
Have youbeen
featured
By Crafters for Crafters
Issue 3ValentinesMothers Day 2010
Handcrafted
Wedding
SpecialValentine amp
Mothers Day
ProjectsHave you
been
featured
By
EASTER 2010
Issue 4
FATHERS DAY 2010
Issue 4
By Crafters for Crafters
Ch
eck out our
Craft
ersDirectory
AUGUSTSUMMER 2
010
Issu
e 5
By Craf
ters fo
r Craf
ters
Chec
k out our
Crafters
Directory
CREATIVE
C
RAFTINGAU
TUM
N H
ALLO
WEE
N 201
0Is
sue
7
CREA
TIVE
CRAF
TIN
G
By Craf
ters f
or C
rafter
s
Chec
k
out our
Craft
ersDirect
ory
An
niv
ersa
ry
Issu
e
Donrsquot forget
All of our links andadverts are fullyclickable
If you would like to embed our magazine into your website blog myspace page etc you can
customise the code to suit your style and size
AUTUMN HALLOWEEN 2010
Issue 7CREATIVE CRAFTING
By Crafters for Crafters
Check out our
CraftersDirectory
Anniversary
Issue
CHRISTMAS 2010
Issue 8
By Crafters for Crafters
FATHERS DAY 2010
Issue 4
By Crafters for Crafters
Check out our
Crafters
Directory
EASTER 2010
Issue 4
By Crafters for Crafters
By Crafters for Crafters
VALENTINES 2011Issue 9
CREATIVE CRAFTING
Crafterrsquos DirectoryThe perfect place to find beautiful gifts
Handcrafted items are becoming a popular alternative to mass produced itemsLovingly created and often surprisingly inexpensive
Click on the links to visit a world of beautiful craft shops
Beads4Breakfast Artisan lampwork beads made in my kitchen studio Commissions taken Website
The Little Bead Box Beautiful Beads and Jewellery Supplies Folksy
UK Craft Store Novelty buttons and more Website
Abstract Cat Crafts Colourful high quality hand-dyed and hand-painted knitting yarn Website
Andrea Lesley Crochet Beautiful handmade crochet gifts Folksy
Joyknitt Joyknitt Knits Misi
NOfkants Curios Hand Knitted and Crocheted Unique Handbags Folksy
Peggyrsquos Knits Quality knitted items Website
Wharfedale Woolworks Hand painted yarns and custom knits Folksy
Creative CraftingAdvertise with
wwwcreative-craftingcomadvertisehtml
A mouse here could take customersto your store
We care about yourcraft business
Prices startfrom only pound2
The Broken Doll Unique greeting cards and gifts from The Doll for that something a littlebit different Folksy
Di saw it first craftreviews
Thank you to everyone that has sent in items for the review Such gorgeous handmade giftsThere really are many very talented people out there
All of these items are going to be able to be won by one of our lucky readers Could it be you
Delightful canvas personalised bag and hair accessoriesSo well made and presented gorgeously These would makesuch a good gift for any little girl Beautiful detail and somany choices of what to buy The details on them areexceptionalwwwjaydesignshairclipscouk
Gorgeous hand made beaded bracelet with little pink bowsso well made and would compliment any outfit
Has so many gorgeous pieces in her shop something foreveryone Comes in a gorgeous little organza bag packagedbeautifullywwwmychicuniqueetsycom
Handmade gorgeous card called Moonlit Bay This card isso stunning the details that have gone into it really show
A very professional finish and hand signed by the artistMimi who is based in Cornwall Mini makes some gorgeousitems and it is so nice to have her Cornwall influencesinspiring her artworkwwwartbymimicouk
This is a stunning necklace made with lampwork beads and Swarovskicrystalspearls and glass bicones with glass seed beads The coloursare amazing and really stand out
Packaged in a beautiful aqua organza bag to compliment thenecklace This would be a great gift for anyone and I am sure youwould get so many compliments from wearing thiswwwscottishprincesscouk
Di saw it first craftreviews
Recycled fabric notebookjournal has 3 pages and is A5 size with2 decorative pagesThe front page also has a pretty nameplate with 3D flowers on it
Made very well and would be an absolutely wonderful gift for any one to receive regardless of their age Although it is unsuitable for very young children due to the decorative disc on the front cover My nieces both loved this notebook and I am sure it would be a great gift for little girls and a very special keepsake book
wwwfolksycomshopsdabdash
Nursing necklace from a company called Booby and The BeadsAbsolutely stunning colours and made very well Pinks and reds reallycompliment each other Packaged in a beautiful pink organza bag
A great idea for a present for any ladyhttpwwwfacebookcompagesBooby-The-Beads-Nursing-Necklaces-Reminder-Bracelets -more157477778613
Lovely handmade bookmark made with material andcharms So different and would make an excellentgift Never seen a bookmark with so much detail onBefore
Gorgeous handmade charm packaged and has so muchdetail on it This would be perfect on your bag or keys and Iam sure everyone would ask where you bought it from Bothpackaged beautifullywwwd-k-designscouk
You could win all these goodies by entering our giveaway
Just enter you name and email address to be in fora chance of winning all these handmade gifts
wwwcreative-craftingcomgiveawayhtml
Closing date for entries is 31st May 2011
Written and reviewed by Peggyrsquos Knitshttppeggyscollectionwebscom
Make this simple striking necklace using beadedheadpins and chain to add a bold statement
to your favourite outfit
MaterialsI used Beads Unlimited products in the following quantities tocomplete the jewellery set -
100g x high quality glass mix pink tones (GLXH22)1 x 40 mm silver foil flat round lime green (GLCN4028)50 cm x heavy chain ( sold per meter) silver plated (CHHSP)2 x (1 pack of 10) 8 mm jump ring silver plated (JR8SP)1 x pack of 100 headpins silver plated (HPSP)2 x (1 pack of 6) long ballwires silver plated (LBWSP)1 x (1 pack of 12) eyepins silver plated (EPSP)1 x trigger clasp silver plated (TRGSP)You will also need a pair of multi pliers (CRMT)
Step 1 Thread thelime green beads ontoan eyepinWith the round nosedpart of the pliers bendthe eyepin into a loopdonrsquot close it yet
Step 2 Measure andCut 28 cm and 12 cmof chainAttach one length toeach eye on the beadedeyepin and close theloop
Step 3 Thread a beadof your choice from thepink mix onto a headpinTrim the headpin 1 cmabove the beadsAttach to the chain linknext to the lime greenbeads Close the loop
Gemma is inspired by everything around her from colourand form to the materials she uses and by using manytraditional techniques with contemporary ideas she createsjewellery with her individual style
Make your ownStriking Necklace and Earrings
Step 4 Continue to addbeads from the pink mixin the way to create atapered look on each sideThe shorter length of chainshould be beaded along 5 cmand the longer length 14 cm
Step 5 Attach and 8 mmjump ring to one and of thenecklace ends and a jumpring with a trigger clasp tothe other
Finished necklace
To make the earringsCut a 5 cm length of chain Attach a long ballwire to one end and bead inthe same way as the necklace Make sure you attach a bead to the endlineRepeat to make a pair
Designed by Gemma fromwwwbeadsunlimitedcouk
This necklace and earring set could be yoursVisit wwwcreative-craftingcomgiveawayto enter
Competition end date is -31st May 2011
Beautiful Jewellery to helpyou through life
wwwmysticearthcouk
These pieces of unique jewellery makethe perfect gift for a loved one or a much
needed treat for yourself
MYSTIC EARTH
Have you ever thought ofhaving a piece of
Gemstone and CrystalHealing Jewellery Created
lsquojust for yoursquoEach stone matched to your needs
The Crystal Lady at Mystic Earthcan offer you this service
Quality KnittedItems
httpwwwpeggyscollectionwebscom
PeggyrsquosCollection
Made with love and care
Mother Nature has provided us withwonderful Healing Gemstones and Minerals
PeridotFor this Issue discover the beauty of
(MgFe)2(SiO4)+AlCaMnNiCoCrTi
If you would likemore information about
Crystal Healing Jewelleryyou can contact
The Crystal Lady atthecrystalladymysticearthcouk
httpwwwmysticearthcoukor visit
In the Middle Ages Peridot was employed for warding off evil spiritsand to bestow wisdom and friendship
Mentally -Dissolves oppressive feelings that arise from self-blameAllows us to forgive ourselves
Physically - Peridot has a strong detoxifying effect and stimulates the liverEnhances the liver and gallbladder helps with skin problems even warts
Chakra - Heart Solar Plexus
Peridot Mini Hair Comb
pound14
Lime Crush
pound35Victorian Sterling Silver
Peridot Ring
$38
Chocolate Pearl and PeridotNecklace
$78Jasper Peridot Rhyolite
and Pearl Necklace
pound45
Peridot Chip Bracelet
pound7
As a woman in the UK today if you attend a wedding or the races andparticularly if you are lucky enough to go to Ladies Day at Royal Ascotthen it is usually expected that you should wear a hat or nowadaysa fascinator
If you want to get ahead get a hat
People have always worn hats in someform whether as a protective head covering oras a mark of status within society hats have alwayshad their place In the 15th century it was expectedthat women keep their hair covered wearing veilsand wimples and refashioned male hats were alsopopular
But it was not until the 17th century that womenrsquosheadwear began to take the familiar shape that it does today Bonnetsbecame increasingly popular and at times could be extremely elaboratetrimmed with ribbons lace and feathers
The term lsquomillinerrsquo meaning a maker of womenrsquos hats refers to products derived from Milan andNorthern Italy such as the straws and ribbons used in the making of hats
The haberdashers who imported of these products were known as lsquoMillanersrsquo from which we getthis term The first use of the term in the UK was in the 1700rsquos
Hats were extremely popular at the turn of the 20th century not only forspecial occasions Victorian hats were large brimmed and ornatelydecorated with flowers feathers ribbons and beads The austerity of theSecond World War led to their eventual decline as an everyday pieceof a womanrsquos wardrobe
Nowadays hats and the ever popular fascinator are seeing a resurgencenot in the least thanks to the influences of women such as Sarah JessicaParker Paloma Faith and of course Kate Middleton
Choosing a hat or fascinator needs careful consideration Height faceshape and personality all play a part in shaping your decision A boldfascinator is a statement piece and is certainly not for the shy
Everyone can wear some type of hat or fascinator its just a matter of finding the right one to suityou
There are some amazing British professional milliners working today not least including thelikes of Stephen Jones and Phillip Treacy but you will also find in the UK some wonderful millinersselling their designs on Etsy each producing unique designs to put the perfect finish to any outfitwhatever the occasion
Off With Her Head is run by self taught designer and milliner Lisa Poolewhose designs are fuelled by a love of vintage fashion and moviecostumes
Based in Fife Scotland she prides herself on creating each piece by handand loves to create bespoke pieces for her customers
Off With Her Head focuses on creating vintage inspired pieces andalthough Lisa creates hats and fascinators from various eras in historyshe admits to being a little biased towards the 1950rsquos as its her favouritedecade for fashion
Whatever direction Off With Her Head takes the ethos behind the businessremains the same - quality hats and fascinators at a reasonable price
Off With Her Head ndash Vintage Inspired Millinery
Etsy Store httpwwwetsycomshopmadamequeenyWebsite wwwoffwithherheadcouk
Annalisa Maria Millinery
Annalisa of Annalisa Maria Millinery has always adored hats andbeing the type of person who loves to make things she quitenaturally became interested in millinery
Trained at Kensington and Chelsea college famous for itsmillinery alumni where she learnt all the basics of the trade
She now works out of her London home producing beautifulone of a kind hats and head pieces
Etsy Store wwwetsycomshopdesignsbyannalisa
With so much choice there is absolutely no excuse not to finish your outfit with stunning hatfascinator or headpiecehellip and as they say
Written By Lisa PooleFrom Off With Her Headwwwoffwithherheadcouk
Ella Gajewska is a professional milliner working in London Hats are thelove of her life She has been working as a milliner since 1996 thoughher passion for hats started much earlier in her childhood when Ellacreated hats for her dolls to give them a bit more of an extravagantlook
Having achieved success in Poland where she was a milliners ateliermanager and an inspiring teacher for other young milliners she decidedto take her chances in London the world capital of hats
Since 2001 Ella Gajewska has had the chance of working for renownedateliers and milliners Working in England alongside the best designersof various head wear she has had the chance to develop and perfecther skills even more
Ella Gajewska
Etsy Store wwwetsycomshopEllaGajewskaWebsite wwwellagajewskacom
Little Miss B Design
Little Miss B started out making hats and accessories for herselfand friends uninspired by what was available on the high streetShe decided that shersquod like to give a wider audience the chanceto own a unique Little Miss B creation so began her foray intofashion and millinery
Her inspirations comes from days gone by when style andglamour were more apparent and the quality of craftsmanshipwas high From the 1920s to the 1960s vintage to rockabillyLittle Miss B brings it to the present day with a modern twist
Etsy Store httpwwwetsycomshopLittleMissBDesign
Ive always been artistic in one form or another As a child I always paintedand drew a lot At school I did everything from make a wooden fish pencilholder perspex badges pottery and childrens toys I was very into pencildrawings and shading but I loved using watercolour and other textures formy more cartoonManga style art
I was never very good at what back then was deemed the Girlie stuff I wasmore into woodwork and moulding and graphics This is probably what mademe choose my Bachelor of Science Degree in Architectural Technology Formy degree we used a lot of CAD (Computer Aided Design) to design buildings and building materialsWe also had to craft models of some of our own designs with foam board and other materials I wasin my element with this part of the curriculum
The great thing about craftdesignmaking things - whatever you want to call it is that there is a freedom in Art that you do not get anywhere else There is no right and wrong and no rules The rules come later At the point of concept it is just you and your imagination Which is very liberating and also quite scary because we are conditioned to think within the constraints of rules Art has no rules
Dianes Celebrity ChatsOur lovely Di from Peggyrsquos Knits chats to another celebrity about crafting
Tanya has worked on a number of shows the most recent being the character Adele Alfrey in ITVrsquos Emmerdale She has also worked on other familiar shows with awardwinning producers directors and writers She starred in the BBCcomedy Kerching Her first professional role was in Holby CityShe is also an accomplished presenter and budding playwrightTanya is a former student of the National Youth TheatreTanya told me how she has been artistic about how she sees artand her views on crafting
Please all take a look at Tanyarsquos website which ishttpwwwtanyavitalcom
What you will needFleece material - To determine the size needed- measure the circumference of your head(around your ears) and add 12 inch for seamallowance This will be the width and the lengthmeasurement is 20 inchesCotton thread in the same or contrasting colour
Average Head Sizes -
Newborn (6 months and younger)Circumference 14 to 17 inchesCrown 8 to 10 inches
Infant (6 to 12 months)Circumference 16 to 19 inchesCrown 11 to 12 inches
Child (12 months to 3 years)Circumference 18 to 20 inchesCrown 11 to 12 inches
Step 1 Lay out your fleece on a flat surface anddraw out a rectangle using the measurements forthe hat size required This should be 20 inches longand the width will be the circumference measurementof the size hat your making plus 12 inch seamallowance So to make a hat for a child with a headcircumference of 15 inches the width should be15 12 inches
Claire from Elderberry Arts shows us how to make achildrens hat from fleece material
Why not experiment this Easter holiday
Below are easy to follow instructions and a sizing guide
Thin length of fleece approx 12 inches by12 inchRuler or tape measureTailors chalk or penScissorsPinsSewing needles or sewing machine
Elderberrry Arts
Step 4 Place the right sides of the fleecetogether and pin along the length of thematerial Sew along this edge either by handor machine Knot ends and sewing inside thehem You can trim this hem to make it even andneater if needed
Step 5 Turn the hat right side out andarrange it so the seam is in the middleback From the bottom of your hatmeasure the crown length and place thefleece strip under the hat at this point
Step 6 Tie the ends of thestrip together and pull tightto gather hat
Step 7 Now cut the topsection of the hat into stripsapproximately 12 inch wide
Once youve cut all the wayround the strips can be trimmedto shorten them if required
You could also thread plastic ponybeads on some or all of the stripsknotting the bottom to secure them
Step 2 Cut out the rectangleof fleece Then cut a strip 12inches by 12 inch of fleecefrom the leftover material
Step 3 Pin a hem approx12 inch wide across theshorter length of fleece
Sew either by hand or machineKnot ends and sewing insidethe hem
Written by Elderberry Artshttpwwwelderberryartscouk
Rug Making Ragtag RugsWith
Looking for something fabulous to make using all your old T-shirts sweat shirts and other disusedgarments If so this could be the project for you
The craft of making rag rugs is very traditional and dates backto the mid eighteen hundreds itrsquos still very relevant today whatwith the importance of recycling the other great thing aboutit is that the design on the rug can pretty much be whateveryou want it to be - an image of your pet or your house anabstract or geometric design or something floral traditionalhellip itrsquos totally up to you and your imagination
The technique Irsquoll be using for this project is a method calledlsquohookingrsquo which is very simple and produces a soft and hardwearing pile Irsquove tried to keep everything simple and equipment to a minimum so that everyone canhave a go My favourite fabrics to use are the afore mentioned T-shirts and sweat shirts as they frayvery little but most textiles of a medium thickness can be used
MaterialsVirtually any material can be used in a rag rug some materials are easier to work with than othersThe best materials to use for hooking include T-shirts sweat shirts lightweight cottonssynthetics amplightweight woolsynthetic jumpers Fabrics such as heavy weight denim are not suitableFor this project Irsquove used plain fabrics but patterned fabrics can also be used
HookingStep 1 Working with the Hessian design side up poke the hook through the Hessian and grab thestrip of fabric underneath with the hook
Step 2 Pull the end of the strip of fabric up through the Hessian so that you leave a tail of at least1 cm sticking up
Step 3 Move the hook along about half a centimeter poke it back down through the Hessian andpull a loop of fabric up through to the top of the Hessian a loop height of about 1 cm is best thenjust repeat this technique filling in the required area when you reach the end of a fabric strip pullthe end up through the Hessian and trim it so itrsquos the same height as the loopsMake sure your loops are dense enough and you canrsquot see any of the Hessian backing There is noneed to physically fix the loops in place as they will stay put automatically due to the thickness ofThe fabric and the denseness of the loops
What you will needA piece of Hessian measuring 90 cm x 110 cmSelection of fabrics cut into strips measuring1 - 2 cm wide depending on the thickness ofthe fabric and avoid any seamsRug hookDressmakers pinsScissors
Large-eyed needleBall of woolMarker penYard stick metre ruler2 sheets of thin A4 card or a flattened cereal packetCompassPencil
Ragtag Rugs Rug Making Ragtag RugsWith
Step 1 Using the compass and pencildraw two circles measuring 185 cmacross on the sheets of card and cut theseout using the scissors
Step 2 Using the marker pen and metre rule draw a rectangle on the piece of Hessian measuring63 cm x 84 cm leaving a boarder of about 12 cm all the way around the rectangle Divide therectangle into four giving you central lines for the width and length of the rug Place the card spotson the Hessian in the appropriate places and draw around them using the marker pen for the halfand quarter spots fold one of the card templates accordingly and then draw around it Draw in yourdesigns within the spots
Step 3 Fold under the raw edges of the Hessian and stitch with arunning stitch using the large-eyed needle and wool this is to preventthe Hessian fraying selvedge edges can be left as they are
Step 4 Hook in the strips of fabrics filling in the spots first and then thebackground You can either use the design shown here or make up yourown spots and colour scheme
Step 5 When completed lay the rug face down on the floor and turn in a hem of about 6 cms tothe back of the rug and pin it all the way around fold and pin the corners as neatly as possibleSew the hem to the back of the rug with a running stitch using the large-eyed needle and woolVoila You have a rug
wwwfolksycomshopsragtagrugs
Written by Ragtag Rugs
SupplierFor an American Style Rug Hook costing about pound750 and also Hessian go to Fred Aldous CraftSupplies wwwfredaldouscouk
NoteSome people prefer to use a rug making frame which helps to keep the rugsquare but as the rug wersquore making here is fairly small and wersquore keepingthings simple Irsquove dispensed with this
The first item I sold online was on my Folksy shop(httpwwwfolksycomshopsLaurabyTheSea) and was a vintage ceramic andbead brooch the buyer was very pleased with it and gave me great feedback
Tell us about yourselfMy name is Laura and I live by the sea in the East of England Pakefield to be precise I live with my wonderful Brother who is a musician so we have a very creative household and in our bright conservatory I make ldquoLaura by The Seardquo jewellery (from necklaces brooches amp bracelets to ear rings and hair slides) using vintage ceramics I break vintage crockery hand sand it to ensure there are no sharp edges and make the shards into beautiful jewellery
When did your crafting begin and whyI began studying ceramics during my BA Hons degree in Fine Art at The University of Portsmouthwhich is where my obsession for vintage crockery began to grow Initially I began by making newplates and tea cups with vintage shards in but soon the beauty of the ceramic shards startedappealing to me which is when I had the idea of making jewellery out of them - and one day I justdid it and havenrsquot stopped since I just love how the cute patterns really stand out against the silverchain
What was the first item you made to sell online
What is your biggest crafting achievement and why
I think my biggest crafting achievement since starting Laura by The SeaJewellery has to be getting interviewed for the national ldquoMAKE Jewelleryrdquomagazine as their new ldquoIt accessoryrdquo designer I totally didnrsquot expect themto contact me via my Folksy store
Other than crafting what else do you like to do
In my spare time I like to paint I write I stronglybelieve it is the simple things in life that count I am a collectorof anything old with a story and pick up anything found on the seashore First morning sunshine trawling antique treasure troves walks on the sand with my pooch Sepia tones and seeing life through a lens makes me happy I do a photographyfashion blog(laurabytheseatumblrcom) and am a very sociable person These are a fewof my favourite things and yes that should include raindrops on roses andbrown paper packages tied up with string
Where would you like to be in 5 years
In 5 years time I would love to be able to do this on a full time basis tomake enough money to live I am aiming to have my jewellery sold in manyUK wide independent stores and hopefully a few abroad However theultimate dream is to have my jewellery featured in Vogue
The first item I sold online was on my Folksy shop(httpwwwfolksycomshopsLaurabyTheSea) and was a vintage ceramic andbead brooch the buyer was very pleased with it and gave me great feedback
Where does your inspiration come from
My inspiration comes from trawling antique and vintage shops photography (one of my current favphotographers is Elizabeth Sarah from America) and I am always inspired by other people When Iget talking with my friends about anything creative the juices start flowing and I get more designideas I am also inspired and work along with music (anything from RampB amp Hip-hop to Reggae andJazz I have an eclectic mix)
What are your favourite materials and why
Vintage ceramics because I adore the vintage floral prints on the crockeryand like the idea of being as eco-friendly as possible and like to only userecycled materials in my jewellery
What is favourite shop online that isnrsquot yours and why
My favourite online shop has to be Loglike a contemporary gift and home ware store with vintageelements The owner makes cute candlesticks from vintage plates and saucers that look amazing onmy coffee table (see httpwwwfolksycomshopsLoglike)
Has any person helped or supported you more than any other
I would have to say my parents and Brother Not just financially when Iwas a poor struggling student but they are supportive with everything Ido in life and I just couldnrsquot do without them My brother is more like abest friend
Tell us a random fact about yourself
I have 23 dresses in my wardrobe and have a vinyl collection of mostly 1980rsquos music (my guiltypleasure)
httpwwwfolksycomshopsLaurabyTheSea
Visit
Lauraat
in the GardenHi Irsquom Tina
Good to have you visit with me again in The GardenI think we will sit in the conservatory this morning the sun is juststreaming in it is so wonderful to feel the warmth after such a coldwinter I have the kettle on and some little iced biscuits butremember we must not over indulge me especially as I have notbeen working in the garden so much just sitting in doors munching
Well Spring is here at last and it does seem to be in a hurrythis year the crab apple is already in bud and also the fruittrees
I had my own little piece of garden and the plants therewere in my charge if I forgot to water them and theydied mother would say you have to be responsible givethem a little care and you will be rewarded with so muchbeauty and as I look around the garden today thebeauty just takes my breath awayI checked out the herbs after the winter and just look atthis monster itrsquos the parsley how great is this
Here is a photo of the willow catkins or lambs tails as mymother used to call them she was a country woman andknew every wild flower by their old country names sheloved all nature and her garden and was my inspirationfrom an early age
wwwtina-in-the-gardenblogspotcom
Also I think that this flower is really confused it is of coursean antirrhinum when I emptied the summer bedding fromthe tubs some were still fine so I planted them in thegarden and as you can see have been well rewarded Alsosome silver foliage plants which I cannot remember thename of and of course have lost thelabel they seem to think that it isalready summer
At the moment you can get into the bog it does not look half as mysterious as it does inthe summer you can even see the streamMy better half and I have one or two projects this summer well I have theideas and he makes them work howlucky am I So watch this space
Oh you have to leave well thank you again for coming be safe until your next visit withme in The Garden
Your green fingered friendTina
The bluebells are coming throughin the wood not long now beforethey flower they have to hurrybefore the trees get their leaves
Creative CraftingAdvertise with
wwwcreative-craftingcomadvertisehtml
A mouse herecould take customers
to your store
We care about yourcraft business
Prices startfrom
only pound2
There are a lot of different crafts to choose fromThis series of articles will discover some of the more unusual and also some
old world crafts that may have been almost forgotten
This article was created by
The Crystal Ladyhttpwwwmysticearthcouk
Sold by Amazon
Knitting with Dog Hairby Anne Montgomery
Contains easy step-by-step instructions for collecting cleaningstoring and spinning your dogs fur The book includes originalknitting patterns for the novice and the pro - from mittens toshawls to lace collars from your cats hair
How to Knit a Dog Hair Sweater
E-How
The brushed undercoat of a dog is called chiengora and can be used for knittingcrocheting or felting just like lambs wool or other yarn Dogs hair has been used forcenturies for weaving blankets and other coverings Dogs hair is much warmer thanwool Here is how to knit a sweater from dog hair
After the tutorial the writer goes on to leave a warning that dog hair is much warmerthan wool and an entire garment made of dog hair will be too hot to wear
I also found a very fascinating article about a lady called Laurie Moy on the Boulder DailyCamera website
Better a sweater from a dog you know and love than from a sheepyoull never meet
Warp and woof-woof Making clothes out of dog hair
Read more Boulder Daily Camera
This was discovered in an American newspaper by Creative Craftings Tinawe just had to tell you about it
I did some Googling about this and apparently there is quite alot about it I found a tutorial on the popular E-How site
Irsquom sure like me yoursquoll find this quite fascinatingIf any of our spinners out there fancy a go atcreating some yarn from their pooches we wouldlove to see some of the results It is also a greatidea for recycling all of that fluff that you areconstantly sweeping up off your sofa or yourcarpet There really is a use for most things afterall
Salt dough is so quick and easy (and therapeutic) to make endlessly adaptable a joy to sharewith the kids and has the advantage of being made from store-cupboard basics (although youcould make these projects in clay or fimo or even plasticine)The drawbacks are that it takes a while to cookpaintvarnish it will dissolve in wet or very dampconditions and will break if you drop it So allow yourself a couple of days to produce a finishedpiece and varnish thoroughly when decorated to protect against any damage
Making a Batch of Salt Dough
1 Mug of Table Salt2 Mugs of Plain FlourApprox 1 Mug of Tepid Water (Add final frac14 slowly)1 Tablespoon of Olive or Vegetable Oil (Optional)
Mix the flour and salt together in a bowlIf you are using oil (which helps to add elasticity but is optional and not necessary) add it to themug of water Add the water (with or without oil) to the salt and flour mixAdd most of the water stirring into the dry ingredients with a wooden spoon Add the last of thewater carefully as you will need more or less depending on humidity and the gradequality of theflourYou need to add enough to bind the ingredients without making it too sticky Empty onto a lightlyfloured surface and knead for at least ten minutes until the dough is smooth and slightly warm
A Few Tips for Modelling Salt DoughRoll out salt dough onto a lightly floured surface with a floured rolling pin or you could use abottle if you havent got a rolling pin Gently flattening salt dough with the heels of your hands willwork too but keep moving the dough to keep it even and turn it over to the fresh smooth sidejust before you begin cutting shapesKeep the thickness of your pieces under an inch much thicker than this and they wont hardenproperly in the middleUse a sharp knife to cut salt dough shapes but a blunt knife (or the back of a knife) is useful whenmarking lines onto the dough A scalpel or craft knife is best for cutting out intricate shapesUse pastry cutters plasticine moulds forks hair grips scrubbing brushes experiment withanything you have lying around the house
Cooking Salt DoughCook your salt dough pieces slowly in a very low oven The cooler and slower the better to preventdistortion in the cooking process These pieces were cooked at 140275 degrees or Gas Mark 1 forapproximately 2 hours but I often leave them all day in the oven at its lowest setting
Heartmade Gifts
Decorating Salt DoughYou can decorate your pieces before or after the cooking process Try adding food colouringherbs and spices tea or coffee to your dough as you knead it Or try painting your uncooked piecewith an egg wash for a lovely golden glowExperiment with various mediums on cooked pieces Gouache and acrylics work well but posterpaint is fine (if a little limited in colour variation) and you could try chalks felt tips or crayonsUse glue to add decorations including glitter sequins fabric bows tiny scraps of paper etcIts nice to leave the dough perfectly natural sometimes and sometimes a combination of naturaldough and painted areas works very wellVarnish thoroughly Any varnish will work I tend to use a spray varnish as a first coat to set thepaints then I add a few coats of a super store own brand wood varnish (If you need yourfinished piece to be especially waterproof try yacht varnish but be aware that it will tend tochange the colours making them yellowish)Use a small brush to get into all the nooks and crannies and allow each coat to dry thoroughlybefore applying the next one The more coats you apply the better protected your final pieceHowever unvarnished salt dough I have made for personal use (or the odd forgotten piece) hassurvived very well even in a slightly damp old house So dont let a lack of varnish deter you fromtrying salt dough But if you are creating a family heirloom four or five coats of a good varnish willensure it lasts for yearsTry these two Easter projects the ldquoEgg-stra Specialrdquo eggs are very quick and simple enough to dowith small children the primrose basket takes a while and is a little fiddly but well worth tryingand very easy to adapt by choosing your own flower or perhaps some other motif
~ Egg-stra Special Eggs ~
1 Form an egg shape from a small ball of dough by rolling in your hands and pressthis gently onto your baking tray(Its easier to build your salt dough pieces directly onto the tray you will use tocook them rather than try and move them while they are still uncooked I havebuilt my eggs onto the kitchen surface because it will be easier for you to see whatIm doing)
2 Roll out a piece of salt dough and use it to cover the bottom end of youregg like a blanket When you are happy with the position gently lift andrun a wet paintbrush between the two pieces to glue them together
3 Cut out an egg cup shape around your egg
4 Use a damp paintbrush to push the egg cup onto the eggand ensure it sticks
(A damp paintbrush also helps soften edges and blend any creases or cracks)
5 Uncurl an old metal paperclip and push into the dough to form a hangingloop You can use a piece of any wire I try and use paperclips or a piece of wire
coat-hanger as I like to recycle An alternative hanging method is to create a smallhole (or two holes for larger pieces) and thread a ribbon or piece of leather shoelacethrough the hole tying it to make a loop)
6 Cut out a small bow shape from a piece of flattened dough
7 Cut two ribbon ends from a rectangle of flattened dough
8 Use a wet paintbrush to layer the ribbon ends onto thetop of your egg
9 Attach the bow in position And add a small piece to the centre ofthe bow to finish
10 Cook
11 Decorate in whatever way takes your fancy hellip have fun
~ Primrose Basket ~
1 Cover a bowl in greaseproof paper and turn upside down onto your baking tray
2 Roll out some dough to approx 5mm thickness and cut into thin stripslong enough to cover your bowl
3 Lay four of these strips across the bottom ofyour bowl
4 Begin weaving four in the opposite direction by gently liftingalternate strips out of the way laying the cross strip and replacingthe lifted strips
5 Then add one strip to each side until you reach the edge of the bowl
6 Trim the edge with a knife or fold the stripsback to form a rough bowl lip You can indentsomething on the dough to secure anddecorate
7 Cook
8 Carefully remove the bowl and paper
9 Make primrose flowers and leaves and glue them to the rim with a wetpaintbrush replacing your bowl in the oven for a short whileLeaves ndash cut rough leaf shapes out of a piece of flatted dough and mark theveins and indent the edges with the back of a knifeFlowers ndash use a small heart cutter to cut 5 heart shapes and place on the rim with pointstogether indenting the centre with your fingertip and then marking with the end of a paintbrushPaint with whichever medium you prefer or have to hand I have used acrylics here leaving thebasket natural and painting the primrose leaves green and the flowers yellow adding someorange to the centres of the flowers while the yellow is still damp for a blurred effect
This article was written by Diannefrom Heartmade Gifts
Join Heartmade Gifts on Facebook
wwwheartmadegiftswordpresscom
Lilac Lace Heart LocketJewellery by Bina
Vintage Victorian StyledSweetheart Locket
Miss Bohemia
pound17
pound15
Emerald Bewitched
youmin
$40
The Bright Forest Locket
marisolspoon
$35
Cameral Locket
mydogandi
$2750
Creative CraftingFavourite
This article was created by
The Crystal Ladyhttpwwwmysticearthcouk
Lockets may sound very old fashioned but if you have a wander through thehandmade sites you will find a wealth of very modern and extremely beautifuldesigns Perfect for you to carry your loved ones with you wherever you go
Bee Joyful LocketThe Whimsical Wren
pound10
SteampunkWatch Mechanism
Locketedmdesigns
$85
Luscious LocketsLuscious Lockets
Who likes Chocolate CakeThis is a great recipe for Easter Mothers day or any other daylets admit it we all love chocolate
Ingredients
7 oz self raising flour8 oz caster sugar1 teaspoon of salt2 tablespoons of cocoa powder4 oz margarine2 eggs beaten with5 tablespoons evaporated milk5 tablespoons water1 teaspoon vanilla essence
1 Sift together flour sugar and salt and cocoa2 Rub in margarine3 Stir in eggs essence and liquids then beat well4 Grease and flour 2 8 inch cake tins divide the mixture between them5 Bake in a moderate over 325-350 F gas mark 3 about 35 minutes6 When cold sandwich together and cover in milk chocolate icing
Milk chocolate Icing
Ingredients
2 and a half oz margarine or butter4 tablespoons cocoa8 oz sieved icing sugar3 tablespoons hot milk1 teaspoon vanilla essence
Melt the margarine or butter and blend incocoa powder then stir in icing sugar milkand vanilla essence Beat until smooth andthick
We hope you all enjoy the recipe we would love to see anypictures of chocolate cakes that you make
Instructions
Instructions
Written and reviewed by Peggyrsquos Knitshttppeggyscollectionwebscom
By Sprinkles Sparkleshttpwwwsprinklessparklescouk
All prices are correct at the time of publication
Budget amp LuxurySpring special
Woodland DaffodilsCharm Bracelet
Coco Angel Rosepound1600
Spring Flower Hair ClipFlutter2me
pound450
Spring flowers broochDi Does Craft
pound800
Pink Spring Clutchfunky diva designs
pound1750
Cupcake BuntingCotton Cottage
pound1650
Purple TulipsWildrose Ridge
pound350
Chickadees and LilacsStained Glass WindowStained Glass Addie
pound4940
The Charlotte - SageRosalind Jamespound14500
Springtime 16 Crayon RollApple n Amos
pound509
Buttercup earrings in softyellow with peridot and brass
Goblins Marketpound401
Springtime DalaFolk Horse HangingDecoration - YellowCourt and Spark
pound400
D A P H N E - BrokenChina Plate Pendant
and Sterling Silver NecklaceDesigns by Mila
pound2228
To make the leaves
Using DK yarn and 300 mm hook make 5 leaves as follows
Rnd 1 9ch dc in 2nd ch 1htr in next ch 1tr in each of next 6ch 3ch ss in base of last tr worked
Now work on opposite side of stitches by turning the work
Rnd 2 3ch 1tr in each of next 6ch 1htr in next ch dc ss in top of first stFasten off and sew in loose ends
Materials
Small quantity of DK yarn I have used a yarn with awool-mix but any DK yarn of your choice will be suitableSmall quantity of kid mohair yarn (use two strands together)300 mm hook200 mm hookOne large buttonBrooch pinSewing needle
To make the small rose
Using a 200 mm hook and working two strands of kid mohair yarn together 13ch
Rnd 1 1tr 2ch 1tr in 4th ch (skip 2ch 1tr 2ch 1tr in next ch) 3 times (4 v- spaces)
Rnd 2 3ch 6tr into next v-space 1dc into space between v-spaces Continue with 6tr into eachv-space and 1dc in between spaces until end ss into last ch Fasten off
Roll the work with fingers from start to finish to create a small rose flower and sew together at thebase
Assembling the brooch
Turn the flower so the right side is facing up and sew the button in the centre of the flowerAttach the rose to the centre of the button as shown in diagram Sew a brooch pin to the back of theflower to complete the brooch
Arrange the 5 leaves to form a circle so thecorners of the leaves are touching Sew eachcorner together to form the petals of aflower
Turn the work so the wrong side is facing upand close the hole by sewing together withthe same DK yarn used to make the leaves
Crochet Flower Brooch
ch - chain stitchdc - double crochethtr - half treble crochetss - slip stitchtr - treble crochetst - stitch
Crochet Mobile PhoneiPod Cosy
Materials
50g Dk yarn in mustard colourSmall quantity of DK yarn in bright pink for picot edgingof cosy and small roseSmall quantity of DK yarn in sage green for leaves of roseflowerSize 300mm hook
Instructions for the cosy
The cosy can be made to fit a mobile phoneiPod of your choice
Pattern note the pattern is worked in dc throughout and worked in the round using the tapestrycrochet method of crochet This involves carrying a second yarn below the first making it verystrong
Foundation row
Using one strand of DK yarn in mustard make a chain that measures the width of your mobilephoneipod
Rnd 1 dc across row until the last chain 2dc in last chain Turn work
Rnd 2 Begin to carry a second strand of mustard yarn throughouteach round and every round from now on This yarn is not worked butcarried below the first strand of yarn
Work along the opposite side of the row just worked 1dc in first ch1ch in each chain until the last chain 2dc in last chain Now mark thelast stitch just worked with a different colour yarn so you can see theend of the round and keep moving this marker up to the last stitchworked
Rnd 3 Dc in each chain around working in spirals moving the stitchmarker as the piece grows Continue until the work measures thedesired length to fit the mobileiPod Fasten off and tie in loose ends
ch - chain stitchdc - double crochethtr - half treble crochetss - slip stitchtr - treble crochetst - stitch
Instructions for rose flower
Rnd 1 Using DK yarn in bright pink 1tr 2ch 1tr in 4th ch (skip 2ch1tr 2ch 1tr in next ch) 3 times (4 v- spaces)
Rnd 2 3ch 6tr into next v-space 1dc into space between v-spacesContinue with 6tr into each v-space and 1dc in between spaces untilend ss into last ch Fasten off
Roll the work with fingers from start to finish to create a small rose flower and sew together at thebase
Instructions for leaves
Using DK yarn and 300mm hook make 2 leaves as follows
Rnd 1 5ch dc in 2nd ch 1htr in next ch 1tr in each of next 2ch 3ch ss in base of last tr workedNow work on opposite side of stitches by turning the work
Rnd 2 3ch 1tr in each of next 2 ch 1htr in next ch dc ss in top of first st Fasten off and sew inloose ends
Assembly
Sew the leaves to the reverse of the rose and attach to the cosy as shown in the picture
Picot edging
Rnd 1 Using DK yarn in bright pink dc into each stitch around the edge of the cosy opening ss tofirst dc
Rnd 2 3ch ss into 2nd chain from hook ss into base of 3ch dc into next 2ch 3ch continuefrom to ss into last ch Fasten off and sew in loose ends
Written by Andrea Lesley Crochethttpwwwfolksycomshopsandrealesleycrochet
Materials
T - shirt - colour your choiceScissorsChainSewing needle and threadCorsage or embellishments
Step 1 First get a plain whitet-shirt
Step 2 Then cut off the neck Step 3 Now sew two pieces of chain to each side of where theneckline should be
Step 4 Cut a triangle out ofthe bottom of the t-shirt
Step 5 Tie the two ends thatare left into a knot or bow
Step 6 Finally add a corsageor flower to the front
Step 7 Now you have a bang on trend crop top simply wear over a vest top I loved designing andgokking up this t-shirt it took minutes and didnt cost a lot either
Corsage made by Madam SalamihttpwwwetsycomshopMadamSalami
Written By Heidi Jackson
Favourite finds from around the crafting communityThis months focus is Easter and Spring
Click on the images to take you to their store
Online StreetMISI
Ring With A FlowerBlue Fish Handmade
pound800
Spring necklace in glassand sterling silver
RosieJo Jewellerypound1275
Easter Eggs CardNaomi Constable
pound250
FOLKSY
Easter rabbit cushionwith choccie eggs
Phoebelinas Treasurespound500
Easter Knitted BagsFluerette
pound300
Small Gorgeous FeltSpring Bouquets
Spare Minute Productionspound2000
WOW THANK YOU
Green And Brown PetalFlower Bracelet
Sprinkles Sparklespound3750 inc pampp
Handmade Pink Canvas Wall Art(Set of 3)
Craft on Canvaspound3900 inc pampp
Blue Easter ChickDharmapaintings
pound12 20 inc pampp
All prices correct at the time of publication
Favourite finds from around the crafting communityThis months focus is Easter and Spring
Click on the images to take you to their store
Best PicksUGLY BE GONE
Handpainted DottyDolly Pegs
Ticketty Boopound650
Quirky Motifs ShopperRachael Taylor
pound1500
Collette the Cow BibBaby Boutique
pound1100
The Cutie Pie - recycledpaper butterfly shadow boxThe WingSpan Collection
pound6421
Easter 1 Square PendantHappy Easter Spring Flowers
Miss Gooseberry Pendantspound321
ETSY
RETROEasterplastic springfling daisy clip-on earringsamber brown makes art
pound208ARTFIRE
Easter Egg Mini Cards 2x2 6Peculiar Parchment
pound170
Spring Chicks - Little FusedGlass Dish - Easter Gift
First Light Glasspound926
4 Chocolate Easter ParadeBunny Lollipops extra large
Candy Cottagepound741
All prices correct at the time of publication
What you will need3 x 10 inch lengths of purple Cylon cord10mm silver plated lobster clasp and clasp tag2 x silver plated fold over necklace endsApprox 24 Rose Quartz gemstone chip beads(holes need to be large enough to thread onelength of the cylon cord though)2 x 4mm silver plated jump rings
Rose Quartz is the stone of unconditionalloveIt purifies and opens the heart helping thewearer to love themselves as well as others
Rose Quartz draws off negative energy andhelps release unexpressed emotions
Encourages self forgiveness and acceptanceaids self trust and self worth
I find it easier to use a macrame board for making this type of bracelet as it make it easier tokeep the design neat but its not essential I use a simple board made from a cork notice boardand pins I also use nylon nosed pliers to fold over the necklace ends as I find metal pliers oftenleave marks but again they arent essential
Step 2 Thread a chip bead onto each of the outer lengths ofcord
Step 3 Cross the outer cordsover the middle one as youwould in a braid Then braid thecords again
Step 1 Attach one of thenecklace ends to one end ofthe three lengths of CyloncordYou can then use the hole inthe end to attach the braceletto your board
Make a Rose Quartz Bracelet
Step 6 Attach the secondnecklace end to the three cordwithout cutting them as it makesit easier The ends can then betrimmed with a craft knife orsharp scissors
Step 7 Using the jump ringsattach the clasp to one end ofthe bracelet and the clasp tagto the other
Step 4 Thread two chip beadson to the new outer lengths ofcord and braid as in the previousstep
Step 5 Repeat step three and four untilthe bracelet reaches seven inchesor your desired length
(The clasp section will measureapproximately one inch)
If the cord ends become frayed they canbe fixed with a little super glue
Step 8 And there you areOne finished rose quartzbracelet
Would you like to share a craft project with Creative Crafting
Let us know what project you would like toshare with us
Anything from jewellery knitting and crochetcrafts paper crafts or a craft you feel hasbeen forgotten about
Email thecrystalladycreative-craftingcom
Written by Elderberry Artshttpwwwelderberryartscouk
To those who are not yet aware Prince William and Kate Middleton will tie the knot this month onFriday 29th April in a quiet little ceremony at Westminster Abbey To some this may mean getting aday off to celebrate the nuptials or actually attend the whole affair To others like myself who areself-employed there will be no day off and hence little difference from a normal day but we can stillbe happy for the two love birds entering a state of marital bliss for the first timeIn these uncertain economic times I am not sure how the Royal Wedding will affect the economyhow much money will people want to spend Will this mean street parties like those that dominatemany peoplersquos memories from Prince Charles and Dianarsquos wedding back in 1981 Will there be arush to purchase ridiculously crass lsquosouvenirrsquo mugs plates tea towels or will the market just not bethere at all with all the unsold Royal Wedding goods in the pound shops by JuneThe handmade and crafting sector needs to be aware of the sales potential created by this Royalevent and so products should be made available to support the celebrations and possibly make thecountry feel good about itself again Maybe a lovely warm spring day in April will be good for thecountry and make it forget its economic woes for a few hoursWe asked a number of our sellers about their experience of the last big Royal Wedding (Charles andDiana) and what they are going to do this time to celebrate There were mixed feelings ndash manywere too young to remember much about the 1981 event and even though I remember a day offfrom school I cannot remember any street parties or spontaneous Mardi Gras This time around Ithink money will be a big factor and most people will not stray too far from a bit of home baking inred white and blue and also a show of patriotic bunting Union Jacks are quite the lsquoin thingrsquo at themoment for interior design and so a patriotic statement may double as being hip and trendy
Kim Lampard of Zigzag Bunting thinks a great way tocelebrate the Royal Wedding is to make your own buntingShe suggests pulling together a pile of fabrics that you nolonger need but that hold cherished memories for you forexample your daughterrsquos first cute dress a tea-towel youbought on a special holiday an old bedspread made by your
Granny Even if the items are damaged so cannot be passed on to others there is always a littlecorner that can be cut up into a triangle to make a bunting flag Mix a few of these together and ifyou have enough for a colour scheme (such as red white and blue) fine but donrsquot worry the flagsdonrsquot even need to be the same size Sometimes a shabby chic lsquoMix and Matchrsquo approach turns outto be perfect Sew the fabric triangles onto a piece of ribbon or bias tape and you will have awonderful string of bunting to decorate for the special day You and your family will remember notonly the Royal Wedding when you bring out that bunting but have extra glimpses of their past inthe fabrics Definitely a memento to cherish
Gaye Weekes of A amp V Designs now lives in Snowdonia North Wales and onlyan hour away from Anglesey where the Royal couple will begin their marriedlife She has no doubt had that His Highness has been hovering over theirremote valley in his helicopter over recent months Gaye plans to be flying redwhite and green Welsh bunting for the wedding Her bunting is made fromvintage fabric from the 1950s and 1960s - a cotton heavy woven greenand cream floral and a jolly red and white gingham She adds ldquo
rdquo
This article was written by
from
httpwwwwowthankyoucouk
Karine Ait-Mohamed of The Pink Fairy Cake isFrench but now lives in England She says ldquo
rdquo In the spirit of the occasion Karinehas produced a product that combines both England and France into the celebration Shehas produced sets of two Union Jack hearts filled with lavender from Chateau la Gabelle inHaute-Provence
Lisa MacDonald of LisaMollyMacDonaldis quite enthusiastic about the weddingand getting caught up in the glamour of the
occasion ldquo
rdquo
Lou Carswell of Loubie Jewels has some prettyfantastic red white and blue jewellery which wouldbe suitable for a Royal wedding celebration She told
us ldquo
rdquo
So what can we gather from these observations It will be a nice idea to celebrate the RoyalWedding If we apply a little lsquowartimersquo austerity (handmade lends itself to recycling andupcycling) we shouldnrsquot have to spend a fortune We can step back from commercialism andbe involved in a low key but meaningful way that will make the event more memorable for itssimplicity and just a little thrift God Bless William and Kate
Tell us about yourself
My name is Sandra Ritchie I live in Cleethorpes UK with my husbandJason my 10 year old daughter Alisha my 2 year old son Alfred andour dog Dumbledore Primarily I am a housewife but in my sparetime I make jewellery of all kinds from beaded pieces to metal workbut mainly I make custom-made bespoke precious metal jewellery
When did your crafting begin and why
Many years ago I studied Jewellery and Metal Art at college andover time Ive collected the tools I needed but never got round tosetting up a workroom until 2009 when my Husband pointed outthat our Utility Room would be perfect for me to set up as aworkroom to start making jewellery again It seemed ideal Ialready had people interested in me making them some jewelleryand it meant I could stay at home and look after the children as wellas try to establish a name for myself as a Jewellery designermaker
What was the first item you made to sell online
The first item I made to sell whilst not specifically to sell online was asilver octopus necklace commissioned by an acquaintance of mine thathad seen the silver octopus necklace that I made for myself whilst atcollege and wanted one like it She has since purchased the silver andcopper entwined Dragon necklace and a commissioned silver Dragonand is back on my list for another piece to be made My number onefan I think
What is your biggest crafting achievement and why
I love all the pieces Ive created especially my Custom work but myfavourite piece of all is the Greenman necklace I was approached tomake something as a surprise for someone and was basically giventhe opportunity to produce something different to my usual pieces Ilove making pieces that are based on peoples ideas of what theywant that is really special but the Greenman necklace was mydesign based on what the customer wanted it to represent I had toteach myself etching for the piece as its something Id never learntand Im really pleased with how it worked out
Other than crafting what else do you like to do
I love spending time with my children and family I love baking andcooking too and I suppose I should admit to enjoying the oddrelaxing glass (or bottle) of nice wine when the children are in bed
wwwlittlefairycultcouk
Where would you like to be in 5 years
In 5 years time Id love to be in a better financial position so I canbuy silver and make silver jewellery to sell that isnt just Custom-made Ive started sneaking a few pieces of precious metal jewellerythat are for general sale onto my site
Where does your inspiration come from
My inspiration is usually from the customers themselves They tell mewhat it is they want and I design a piece to reflect that Sometimes theyalter the design slightly to reflect more of how they want it and that isfine For my bead jewellery its usually what beads I have in myworkroom that inspire my beaded pieces I very rarely buy beads for thereason that I have a design idea and usually just buy mixed lots of beadsand work with what I have
What are your favourite materials and why
I really love working with precious metals There is somethinguniquely satisfying about taking a flat sheet of metal and turning itinto a beautiful piece of jewellery Thats why I take pictures of thepieces as I am making them so that other people and the customerwhos item it is can enjoy seeing it progress from a blank piece ofprecious metal into the finished piece
What is favourite shop online that isnrsquot yours and why
Oh my There are so many amazing websites offering beautiful andunique handmade items but I will always take a look at Etsy to see ifthere is anything that catches my eye on there They have such a largevariety of designerssellers making almost everything but the kitchen sink(though I bet if you looked hard enough youd find one on there) Ireally enjoy the little treasuries they do too where you can browse aselection of items that are grouped together by themes
Has any person helped or supported you more than any other
I have had a lot of support from the good friends I have gained on Twitter and of coursemy real life friends have been extremely supportive too but the main reason I actuallysorted out my workroom (or corner of the utility room) was due to my husband insistingthat I start making jewellery again Luckily his insistence and support paid off virtuallystraight away when a friend asked for the octopus necklace I mentioned earlier to bemade
Tell us a random fact about yourself
I have known the sex of each child and whether Id be carrying one or more before I evenconceived them Fairly random but fact nevertheless
Kit includes seed beads 5 x handmade glass beads choker wire x 3 banglewire x 2 ring wire x 3 jewellery pliers beading mat instructions
Makes 8 fabulous and individual pieces of jewellery without the need forfiddly findings books or other money-wasters
Beaded Jewellery Kitpound12Japan Crafts
A coordinating selection of beads plus step-by-step full colour instructions to make your own version of the Jungle Collar design Learn how to work peyote stitch edge it with drops and embellish it with a lush fringe and beaded flowers and leaves Let your beading imagination run wild
Each kit is hand-picked and slightly different so the beads you receive may not be the exact onesshown in the photograph but you can be certain that your necklace will be uniqueThe kit comes carefully packaged in a handy reusable storage box the only things yoursquoll need inaddition are a beading needle a spool of nylon beading thread and some sharp scissors
Beadweaving Kit for Jungle Collar
pound38Lynn Davy
Fairy Earrings Jewellery Making Kit - Ages 7yrs+
pound5Jewellery Making Kits
These single kits are fabulous for all crafty and creative girls They also make great presents for school friends nieces sisters or even grown ups Each kit includes Sterling Silver earwires or studs a small selection of flowers for the skirt a pair of wings a few coloured glass pearls for the heads silver headpin Organza Bag Full set of instructionsSuitable for ages 7 years and up Requires a pair of pliers to finish off - all instructions included
Bracelet Kit - Chunky Swarovski Pearl and Crystal with Toggle Clasp
pound750Wonderstuff Craft Kits
A little kit of bronze Swarovski pearls and Golden Shadow Swarovski crystals silk and toggle clasp
Kit includes 11 x Swarovski 12mm Pearls Colour - Soft Bronze 3 x Swarovski Crystal 8mm Rondelles - Colour - Golden Shadow 8 x Swarovski Crystal 4mmBicones Colour - Light Colorado Topaz 1 x Silver Plated Toggle Bar 1 x Silver plated Toggle RingBracelet length of threading silk Instructions
This kit contains top quality beads to make an exquisite braceletno special tools are needed
Jewellery making kits
from the small crafterWersquove found a selection of wonderful beading kits for allages and experience These are not massed producedsets but offered by the small crafter
This article was created by The Crystal Lady httpwwwmysticearthcouk
This Months
This months lsquoMan of the Monthrsquo is Ade (Adrian)EdmondsonChosen by MegampMillie
This months lsquoLady of the Monthrsquo is GwenStefaniChosen by Claire Pearcy from Elderberry Arts
httpwwwgwenstefanicom
httpwwwunrealitytvcouklets-dance-for-comic-relieflets-dance-for-comic-relief-results-ade-edmondson-and-eighties-super-group-make-next-weeks-final
(Nothing like an April Fools)
This months lsquoBlog of the Month Awardrsquo goes to lsquoItrsquos All Fiddle Fartrsquo
httpitsallfiddlefartblogspotcom
This months lsquoShop of the Month Awardrsquo goes to lsquoJulias DriftwoodFurniturersquo
httpwwwfolksycomshopsseasandview123
ww
wc
reativ
e-cr
afting
co
mw
ww
cr
eative-c
on
nec
tion
snin
gc
om
CREATIVE CRAFTING
Our next issue will be available to read on
1st June 2010If you have missed any of our issues you
can find them to read on our websitewwwcreative-craftingcom
And also on our Social Network Creative Connectionswwwcreative-connectionsningcom
To advertise in Creative Crafting or to submit an article please contact Annaat thecrystalladycreative-craftingcom
AUGUSTSUMMER 2010
Issue 5
By Crafters for Crafters
Check out our
CraftersDirectory
CREATIVE CRAFTING
By Crafters for Crafters
Issue 3
ValentinesMothers Day 2010
HandcraftedWeddingSpecial
Valentine ampMothers Day
Projects
Have youbeen
featured
By Crafters for Crafters
Issue 3ValentinesMothers Day 2010
Handcrafted
Wedding
SpecialValentine amp
Mothers Day
ProjectsHave you
been
featured
By
EASTER 2010
Issue 4
FATHERS DAY 2010
Issue 4
By Crafters for Crafters
Ch
eck out our
Craft
ersDirectory
AUGUSTSUMMER 2
010
Issu
e 5
By Craf
ters fo
r Craf
ters
Chec
k out our
Crafters
Directory
CREATIVE
C
RAFTINGAU
TUM
N H
ALLO
WEE
N 201
0Is
sue
7
CREA
TIVE
CRAF
TIN
G
By Craf
ters f
or C
rafter
s
Chec
k
out our
Craft
ersDirect
ory
An
niv
ersa
ry
Issu
e
Donrsquot forget
All of our links andadverts are fullyclickable
If you would like to embed our magazine into your website blog myspace page etc you can
customise the code to suit your style and size
AUTUMN HALLOWEEN 2010
Issue 7CREATIVE CRAFTING
By Crafters for Crafters
Check out our
CraftersDirectory
Anniversary
Issue
CHRISTMAS 2010
Issue 8
By Crafters for Crafters
FATHERS DAY 2010
Issue 4
By Crafters for Crafters
Check out our
Crafters
Directory
EASTER 2010
Issue 4
By Crafters for Crafters
By Crafters for Crafters
VALENTINES 2011Issue 9
CREATIVE CRAFTING
Di saw it first craftreviews
Thank you to everyone that has sent in items for the review Such gorgeous handmade giftsThere really are many very talented people out there
All of these items are going to be able to be won by one of our lucky readers Could it be you
Delightful canvas personalised bag and hair accessoriesSo well made and presented gorgeously These would makesuch a good gift for any little girl Beautiful detail and somany choices of what to buy The details on them areexceptionalwwwjaydesignshairclipscouk
Gorgeous hand made beaded bracelet with little pink bowsso well made and would compliment any outfit
Has so many gorgeous pieces in her shop something foreveryone Comes in a gorgeous little organza bag packagedbeautifullywwwmychicuniqueetsycom
Handmade gorgeous card called Moonlit Bay This card isso stunning the details that have gone into it really show
A very professional finish and hand signed by the artistMimi who is based in Cornwall Mini makes some gorgeousitems and it is so nice to have her Cornwall influencesinspiring her artworkwwwartbymimicouk
This is a stunning necklace made with lampwork beads and Swarovskicrystalspearls and glass bicones with glass seed beads The coloursare amazing and really stand out
Packaged in a beautiful aqua organza bag to compliment thenecklace This would be a great gift for anyone and I am sure youwould get so many compliments from wearing thiswwwscottishprincesscouk
Di saw it first craftreviews
Recycled fabric notebookjournal has 3 pages and is A5 size with2 decorative pagesThe front page also has a pretty nameplate with 3D flowers on it
Made very well and would be an absolutely wonderful gift for any one to receive regardless of their age Although it is unsuitable for very young children due to the decorative disc on the front cover My nieces both loved this notebook and I am sure it would be a great gift for little girls and a very special keepsake book
wwwfolksycomshopsdabdash
Nursing necklace from a company called Booby and The BeadsAbsolutely stunning colours and made very well Pinks and reds reallycompliment each other Packaged in a beautiful pink organza bag
A great idea for a present for any ladyhttpwwwfacebookcompagesBooby-The-Beads-Nursing-Necklaces-Reminder-Bracelets -more157477778613
Lovely handmade bookmark made with material andcharms So different and would make an excellentgift Never seen a bookmark with so much detail onBefore
Gorgeous handmade charm packaged and has so muchdetail on it This would be perfect on your bag or keys and Iam sure everyone would ask where you bought it from Bothpackaged beautifullywwwd-k-designscouk
You could win all these goodies by entering our giveaway
Just enter you name and email address to be in fora chance of winning all these handmade gifts
wwwcreative-craftingcomgiveawayhtml
Closing date for entries is 31st May 2011
Written and reviewed by Peggyrsquos Knitshttppeggyscollectionwebscom
Make this simple striking necklace using beadedheadpins and chain to add a bold statement
to your favourite outfit
MaterialsI used Beads Unlimited products in the following quantities tocomplete the jewellery set -
100g x high quality glass mix pink tones (GLXH22)1 x 40 mm silver foil flat round lime green (GLCN4028)50 cm x heavy chain ( sold per meter) silver plated (CHHSP)2 x (1 pack of 10) 8 mm jump ring silver plated (JR8SP)1 x pack of 100 headpins silver plated (HPSP)2 x (1 pack of 6) long ballwires silver plated (LBWSP)1 x (1 pack of 12) eyepins silver plated (EPSP)1 x trigger clasp silver plated (TRGSP)You will also need a pair of multi pliers (CRMT)
Step 1 Thread thelime green beads ontoan eyepinWith the round nosedpart of the pliers bendthe eyepin into a loopdonrsquot close it yet
Step 2 Measure andCut 28 cm and 12 cmof chainAttach one length toeach eye on the beadedeyepin and close theloop
Step 3 Thread a beadof your choice from thepink mix onto a headpinTrim the headpin 1 cmabove the beadsAttach to the chain linknext to the lime greenbeads Close the loop
Gemma is inspired by everything around her from colourand form to the materials she uses and by using manytraditional techniques with contemporary ideas she createsjewellery with her individual style
Make your ownStriking Necklace and Earrings
Step 4 Continue to addbeads from the pink mixin the way to create atapered look on each sideThe shorter length of chainshould be beaded along 5 cmand the longer length 14 cm
Step 5 Attach and 8 mmjump ring to one and of thenecklace ends and a jumpring with a trigger clasp tothe other
Finished necklace
To make the earringsCut a 5 cm length of chain Attach a long ballwire to one end and bead inthe same way as the necklace Make sure you attach a bead to the endlineRepeat to make a pair
Designed by Gemma fromwwwbeadsunlimitedcouk
This necklace and earring set could be yoursVisit wwwcreative-craftingcomgiveawayto enter
Competition end date is -31st May 2011
Beautiful Jewellery to helpyou through life
wwwmysticearthcouk
These pieces of unique jewellery makethe perfect gift for a loved one or a much
needed treat for yourself
MYSTIC EARTH
Have you ever thought ofhaving a piece of
Gemstone and CrystalHealing Jewellery Created
lsquojust for yoursquoEach stone matched to your needs
The Crystal Lady at Mystic Earthcan offer you this service
Quality KnittedItems
httpwwwpeggyscollectionwebscom
PeggyrsquosCollection
Made with love and care
Mother Nature has provided us withwonderful Healing Gemstones and Minerals
PeridotFor this Issue discover the beauty of
(MgFe)2(SiO4)+AlCaMnNiCoCrTi
If you would likemore information about
Crystal Healing Jewelleryyou can contact
The Crystal Lady atthecrystalladymysticearthcouk
httpwwwmysticearthcoukor visit
In the Middle Ages Peridot was employed for warding off evil spiritsand to bestow wisdom and friendship
Mentally -Dissolves oppressive feelings that arise from self-blameAllows us to forgive ourselves
Physically - Peridot has a strong detoxifying effect and stimulates the liverEnhances the liver and gallbladder helps with skin problems even warts
Chakra - Heart Solar Plexus
Peridot Mini Hair Comb
pound14
Lime Crush
pound35Victorian Sterling Silver
Peridot Ring
$38
Chocolate Pearl and PeridotNecklace
$78Jasper Peridot Rhyolite
and Pearl Necklace
pound45
Peridot Chip Bracelet
pound7
As a woman in the UK today if you attend a wedding or the races andparticularly if you are lucky enough to go to Ladies Day at Royal Ascotthen it is usually expected that you should wear a hat or nowadaysa fascinator
If you want to get ahead get a hat
People have always worn hats in someform whether as a protective head covering oras a mark of status within society hats have alwayshad their place In the 15th century it was expectedthat women keep their hair covered wearing veilsand wimples and refashioned male hats were alsopopular
But it was not until the 17th century that womenrsquosheadwear began to take the familiar shape that it does today Bonnetsbecame increasingly popular and at times could be extremely elaboratetrimmed with ribbons lace and feathers
The term lsquomillinerrsquo meaning a maker of womenrsquos hats refers to products derived from Milan andNorthern Italy such as the straws and ribbons used in the making of hats
The haberdashers who imported of these products were known as lsquoMillanersrsquo from which we getthis term The first use of the term in the UK was in the 1700rsquos
Hats were extremely popular at the turn of the 20th century not only forspecial occasions Victorian hats were large brimmed and ornatelydecorated with flowers feathers ribbons and beads The austerity of theSecond World War led to their eventual decline as an everyday pieceof a womanrsquos wardrobe
Nowadays hats and the ever popular fascinator are seeing a resurgencenot in the least thanks to the influences of women such as Sarah JessicaParker Paloma Faith and of course Kate Middleton
Choosing a hat or fascinator needs careful consideration Height faceshape and personality all play a part in shaping your decision A boldfascinator is a statement piece and is certainly not for the shy
Everyone can wear some type of hat or fascinator its just a matter of finding the right one to suityou
There are some amazing British professional milliners working today not least including thelikes of Stephen Jones and Phillip Treacy but you will also find in the UK some wonderful millinersselling their designs on Etsy each producing unique designs to put the perfect finish to any outfitwhatever the occasion
Off With Her Head is run by self taught designer and milliner Lisa Poolewhose designs are fuelled by a love of vintage fashion and moviecostumes
Based in Fife Scotland she prides herself on creating each piece by handand loves to create bespoke pieces for her customers
Off With Her Head focuses on creating vintage inspired pieces andalthough Lisa creates hats and fascinators from various eras in historyshe admits to being a little biased towards the 1950rsquos as its her favouritedecade for fashion
Whatever direction Off With Her Head takes the ethos behind the businessremains the same - quality hats and fascinators at a reasonable price
Off With Her Head ndash Vintage Inspired Millinery
Etsy Store httpwwwetsycomshopmadamequeenyWebsite wwwoffwithherheadcouk
Annalisa Maria Millinery
Annalisa of Annalisa Maria Millinery has always adored hats andbeing the type of person who loves to make things she quitenaturally became interested in millinery
Trained at Kensington and Chelsea college famous for itsmillinery alumni where she learnt all the basics of the trade
She now works out of her London home producing beautifulone of a kind hats and head pieces
Etsy Store wwwetsycomshopdesignsbyannalisa
With so much choice there is absolutely no excuse not to finish your outfit with stunning hatfascinator or headpiecehellip and as they say
Written By Lisa PooleFrom Off With Her Headwwwoffwithherheadcouk
Ella Gajewska is a professional milliner working in London Hats are thelove of her life She has been working as a milliner since 1996 thoughher passion for hats started much earlier in her childhood when Ellacreated hats for her dolls to give them a bit more of an extravagantlook
Having achieved success in Poland where she was a milliners ateliermanager and an inspiring teacher for other young milliners she decidedto take her chances in London the world capital of hats
Since 2001 Ella Gajewska has had the chance of working for renownedateliers and milliners Working in England alongside the best designersof various head wear she has had the chance to develop and perfecther skills even more
Ella Gajewska
Etsy Store wwwetsycomshopEllaGajewskaWebsite wwwellagajewskacom
Little Miss B Design
Little Miss B started out making hats and accessories for herselfand friends uninspired by what was available on the high streetShe decided that shersquod like to give a wider audience the chanceto own a unique Little Miss B creation so began her foray intofashion and millinery
Her inspirations comes from days gone by when style andglamour were more apparent and the quality of craftsmanshipwas high From the 1920s to the 1960s vintage to rockabillyLittle Miss B brings it to the present day with a modern twist
Etsy Store httpwwwetsycomshopLittleMissBDesign
Ive always been artistic in one form or another As a child I always paintedand drew a lot At school I did everything from make a wooden fish pencilholder perspex badges pottery and childrens toys I was very into pencildrawings and shading but I loved using watercolour and other textures formy more cartoonManga style art
I was never very good at what back then was deemed the Girlie stuff I wasmore into woodwork and moulding and graphics This is probably what mademe choose my Bachelor of Science Degree in Architectural Technology Formy degree we used a lot of CAD (Computer Aided Design) to design buildings and building materialsWe also had to craft models of some of our own designs with foam board and other materials I wasin my element with this part of the curriculum
The great thing about craftdesignmaking things - whatever you want to call it is that there is a freedom in Art that you do not get anywhere else There is no right and wrong and no rules The rules come later At the point of concept it is just you and your imagination Which is very liberating and also quite scary because we are conditioned to think within the constraints of rules Art has no rules
Dianes Celebrity ChatsOur lovely Di from Peggyrsquos Knits chats to another celebrity about crafting
Tanya has worked on a number of shows the most recent being the character Adele Alfrey in ITVrsquos Emmerdale She has also worked on other familiar shows with awardwinning producers directors and writers She starred in the BBCcomedy Kerching Her first professional role was in Holby CityShe is also an accomplished presenter and budding playwrightTanya is a former student of the National Youth TheatreTanya told me how she has been artistic about how she sees artand her views on crafting
Please all take a look at Tanyarsquos website which ishttpwwwtanyavitalcom
What you will needFleece material - To determine the size needed- measure the circumference of your head(around your ears) and add 12 inch for seamallowance This will be the width and the lengthmeasurement is 20 inchesCotton thread in the same or contrasting colour
Average Head Sizes -
Newborn (6 months and younger)Circumference 14 to 17 inchesCrown 8 to 10 inches
Infant (6 to 12 months)Circumference 16 to 19 inchesCrown 11 to 12 inches
Child (12 months to 3 years)Circumference 18 to 20 inchesCrown 11 to 12 inches
Step 1 Lay out your fleece on a flat surface anddraw out a rectangle using the measurements forthe hat size required This should be 20 inches longand the width will be the circumference measurementof the size hat your making plus 12 inch seamallowance So to make a hat for a child with a headcircumference of 15 inches the width should be15 12 inches
Claire from Elderberry Arts shows us how to make achildrens hat from fleece material
Why not experiment this Easter holiday
Below are easy to follow instructions and a sizing guide
Thin length of fleece approx 12 inches by12 inchRuler or tape measureTailors chalk or penScissorsPinsSewing needles or sewing machine
Elderberrry Arts
Step 4 Place the right sides of the fleecetogether and pin along the length of thematerial Sew along this edge either by handor machine Knot ends and sewing inside thehem You can trim this hem to make it even andneater if needed
Step 5 Turn the hat right side out andarrange it so the seam is in the middleback From the bottom of your hatmeasure the crown length and place thefleece strip under the hat at this point
Step 6 Tie the ends of thestrip together and pull tightto gather hat
Step 7 Now cut the topsection of the hat into stripsapproximately 12 inch wide
Once youve cut all the wayround the strips can be trimmedto shorten them if required
You could also thread plastic ponybeads on some or all of the stripsknotting the bottom to secure them
Step 2 Cut out the rectangleof fleece Then cut a strip 12inches by 12 inch of fleecefrom the leftover material
Step 3 Pin a hem approx12 inch wide across theshorter length of fleece
Sew either by hand or machineKnot ends and sewing insidethe hem
Written by Elderberry Artshttpwwwelderberryartscouk
Rug Making Ragtag RugsWith
Looking for something fabulous to make using all your old T-shirts sweat shirts and other disusedgarments If so this could be the project for you
The craft of making rag rugs is very traditional and dates backto the mid eighteen hundreds itrsquos still very relevant today whatwith the importance of recycling the other great thing aboutit is that the design on the rug can pretty much be whateveryou want it to be - an image of your pet or your house anabstract or geometric design or something floral traditionalhellip itrsquos totally up to you and your imagination
The technique Irsquoll be using for this project is a method calledlsquohookingrsquo which is very simple and produces a soft and hardwearing pile Irsquove tried to keep everything simple and equipment to a minimum so that everyone canhave a go My favourite fabrics to use are the afore mentioned T-shirts and sweat shirts as they frayvery little but most textiles of a medium thickness can be used
MaterialsVirtually any material can be used in a rag rug some materials are easier to work with than othersThe best materials to use for hooking include T-shirts sweat shirts lightweight cottonssynthetics amplightweight woolsynthetic jumpers Fabrics such as heavy weight denim are not suitableFor this project Irsquove used plain fabrics but patterned fabrics can also be used
HookingStep 1 Working with the Hessian design side up poke the hook through the Hessian and grab thestrip of fabric underneath with the hook
Step 2 Pull the end of the strip of fabric up through the Hessian so that you leave a tail of at least1 cm sticking up
Step 3 Move the hook along about half a centimeter poke it back down through the Hessian andpull a loop of fabric up through to the top of the Hessian a loop height of about 1 cm is best thenjust repeat this technique filling in the required area when you reach the end of a fabric strip pullthe end up through the Hessian and trim it so itrsquos the same height as the loopsMake sure your loops are dense enough and you canrsquot see any of the Hessian backing There is noneed to physically fix the loops in place as they will stay put automatically due to the thickness ofThe fabric and the denseness of the loops
What you will needA piece of Hessian measuring 90 cm x 110 cmSelection of fabrics cut into strips measuring1 - 2 cm wide depending on the thickness ofthe fabric and avoid any seamsRug hookDressmakers pinsScissors
Large-eyed needleBall of woolMarker penYard stick metre ruler2 sheets of thin A4 card or a flattened cereal packetCompassPencil
Ragtag Rugs Rug Making Ragtag RugsWith
Step 1 Using the compass and pencildraw two circles measuring 185 cmacross on the sheets of card and cut theseout using the scissors
Step 2 Using the marker pen and metre rule draw a rectangle on the piece of Hessian measuring63 cm x 84 cm leaving a boarder of about 12 cm all the way around the rectangle Divide therectangle into four giving you central lines for the width and length of the rug Place the card spotson the Hessian in the appropriate places and draw around them using the marker pen for the halfand quarter spots fold one of the card templates accordingly and then draw around it Draw in yourdesigns within the spots
Step 3 Fold under the raw edges of the Hessian and stitch with arunning stitch using the large-eyed needle and wool this is to preventthe Hessian fraying selvedge edges can be left as they are
Step 4 Hook in the strips of fabrics filling in the spots first and then thebackground You can either use the design shown here or make up yourown spots and colour scheme
Step 5 When completed lay the rug face down on the floor and turn in a hem of about 6 cms tothe back of the rug and pin it all the way around fold and pin the corners as neatly as possibleSew the hem to the back of the rug with a running stitch using the large-eyed needle and woolVoila You have a rug
wwwfolksycomshopsragtagrugs
Written by Ragtag Rugs
SupplierFor an American Style Rug Hook costing about pound750 and also Hessian go to Fred Aldous CraftSupplies wwwfredaldouscouk
NoteSome people prefer to use a rug making frame which helps to keep the rugsquare but as the rug wersquore making here is fairly small and wersquore keepingthings simple Irsquove dispensed with this
The first item I sold online was on my Folksy shop(httpwwwfolksycomshopsLaurabyTheSea) and was a vintage ceramic andbead brooch the buyer was very pleased with it and gave me great feedback
Tell us about yourselfMy name is Laura and I live by the sea in the East of England Pakefield to be precise I live with my wonderful Brother who is a musician so we have a very creative household and in our bright conservatory I make ldquoLaura by The Seardquo jewellery (from necklaces brooches amp bracelets to ear rings and hair slides) using vintage ceramics I break vintage crockery hand sand it to ensure there are no sharp edges and make the shards into beautiful jewellery
When did your crafting begin and whyI began studying ceramics during my BA Hons degree in Fine Art at The University of Portsmouthwhich is where my obsession for vintage crockery began to grow Initially I began by making newplates and tea cups with vintage shards in but soon the beauty of the ceramic shards startedappealing to me which is when I had the idea of making jewellery out of them - and one day I justdid it and havenrsquot stopped since I just love how the cute patterns really stand out against the silverchain
What was the first item you made to sell online
What is your biggest crafting achievement and why
I think my biggest crafting achievement since starting Laura by The SeaJewellery has to be getting interviewed for the national ldquoMAKE Jewelleryrdquomagazine as their new ldquoIt accessoryrdquo designer I totally didnrsquot expect themto contact me via my Folksy store
Other than crafting what else do you like to do
In my spare time I like to paint I write I stronglybelieve it is the simple things in life that count I am a collectorof anything old with a story and pick up anything found on the seashore First morning sunshine trawling antique treasure troves walks on the sand with my pooch Sepia tones and seeing life through a lens makes me happy I do a photographyfashion blog(laurabytheseatumblrcom) and am a very sociable person These are a fewof my favourite things and yes that should include raindrops on roses andbrown paper packages tied up with string
Where would you like to be in 5 years
In 5 years time I would love to be able to do this on a full time basis tomake enough money to live I am aiming to have my jewellery sold in manyUK wide independent stores and hopefully a few abroad However theultimate dream is to have my jewellery featured in Vogue
The first item I sold online was on my Folksy shop(httpwwwfolksycomshopsLaurabyTheSea) and was a vintage ceramic andbead brooch the buyer was very pleased with it and gave me great feedback
Where does your inspiration come from
My inspiration comes from trawling antique and vintage shops photography (one of my current favphotographers is Elizabeth Sarah from America) and I am always inspired by other people When Iget talking with my friends about anything creative the juices start flowing and I get more designideas I am also inspired and work along with music (anything from RampB amp Hip-hop to Reggae andJazz I have an eclectic mix)
What are your favourite materials and why
Vintage ceramics because I adore the vintage floral prints on the crockeryand like the idea of being as eco-friendly as possible and like to only userecycled materials in my jewellery
What is favourite shop online that isnrsquot yours and why
My favourite online shop has to be Loglike a contemporary gift and home ware store with vintageelements The owner makes cute candlesticks from vintage plates and saucers that look amazing onmy coffee table (see httpwwwfolksycomshopsLoglike)
Has any person helped or supported you more than any other
I would have to say my parents and Brother Not just financially when Iwas a poor struggling student but they are supportive with everything Ido in life and I just couldnrsquot do without them My brother is more like abest friend
Tell us a random fact about yourself
I have 23 dresses in my wardrobe and have a vinyl collection of mostly 1980rsquos music (my guiltypleasure)
httpwwwfolksycomshopsLaurabyTheSea
Visit
Lauraat
in the GardenHi Irsquom Tina
Good to have you visit with me again in The GardenI think we will sit in the conservatory this morning the sun is juststreaming in it is so wonderful to feel the warmth after such a coldwinter I have the kettle on and some little iced biscuits butremember we must not over indulge me especially as I have notbeen working in the garden so much just sitting in doors munching
Well Spring is here at last and it does seem to be in a hurrythis year the crab apple is already in bud and also the fruittrees
I had my own little piece of garden and the plants therewere in my charge if I forgot to water them and theydied mother would say you have to be responsible givethem a little care and you will be rewarded with so muchbeauty and as I look around the garden today thebeauty just takes my breath awayI checked out the herbs after the winter and just look atthis monster itrsquos the parsley how great is this
Here is a photo of the willow catkins or lambs tails as mymother used to call them she was a country woman andknew every wild flower by their old country names sheloved all nature and her garden and was my inspirationfrom an early age
wwwtina-in-the-gardenblogspotcom
Also I think that this flower is really confused it is of coursean antirrhinum when I emptied the summer bedding fromthe tubs some were still fine so I planted them in thegarden and as you can see have been well rewarded Alsosome silver foliage plants which I cannot remember thename of and of course have lost thelabel they seem to think that it isalready summer
At the moment you can get into the bog it does not look half as mysterious as it does inthe summer you can even see the streamMy better half and I have one or two projects this summer well I have theideas and he makes them work howlucky am I So watch this space
Oh you have to leave well thank you again for coming be safe until your next visit withme in The Garden
Your green fingered friendTina
The bluebells are coming throughin the wood not long now beforethey flower they have to hurrybefore the trees get their leaves
Creative CraftingAdvertise with
wwwcreative-craftingcomadvertisehtml
A mouse herecould take customers
to your store
We care about yourcraft business
Prices startfrom
only pound2
There are a lot of different crafts to choose fromThis series of articles will discover some of the more unusual and also some
old world crafts that may have been almost forgotten
This article was created by
The Crystal Ladyhttpwwwmysticearthcouk
Sold by Amazon
Knitting with Dog Hairby Anne Montgomery
Contains easy step-by-step instructions for collecting cleaningstoring and spinning your dogs fur The book includes originalknitting patterns for the novice and the pro - from mittens toshawls to lace collars from your cats hair
How to Knit a Dog Hair Sweater
E-How
The brushed undercoat of a dog is called chiengora and can be used for knittingcrocheting or felting just like lambs wool or other yarn Dogs hair has been used forcenturies for weaving blankets and other coverings Dogs hair is much warmer thanwool Here is how to knit a sweater from dog hair
After the tutorial the writer goes on to leave a warning that dog hair is much warmerthan wool and an entire garment made of dog hair will be too hot to wear
I also found a very fascinating article about a lady called Laurie Moy on the Boulder DailyCamera website
Better a sweater from a dog you know and love than from a sheepyoull never meet
Warp and woof-woof Making clothes out of dog hair
Read more Boulder Daily Camera
This was discovered in an American newspaper by Creative Craftings Tinawe just had to tell you about it
I did some Googling about this and apparently there is quite alot about it I found a tutorial on the popular E-How site
Irsquom sure like me yoursquoll find this quite fascinatingIf any of our spinners out there fancy a go atcreating some yarn from their pooches we wouldlove to see some of the results It is also a greatidea for recycling all of that fluff that you areconstantly sweeping up off your sofa or yourcarpet There really is a use for most things afterall
Salt dough is so quick and easy (and therapeutic) to make endlessly adaptable a joy to sharewith the kids and has the advantage of being made from store-cupboard basics (although youcould make these projects in clay or fimo or even plasticine)The drawbacks are that it takes a while to cookpaintvarnish it will dissolve in wet or very dampconditions and will break if you drop it So allow yourself a couple of days to produce a finishedpiece and varnish thoroughly when decorated to protect against any damage
Making a Batch of Salt Dough
1 Mug of Table Salt2 Mugs of Plain FlourApprox 1 Mug of Tepid Water (Add final frac14 slowly)1 Tablespoon of Olive or Vegetable Oil (Optional)
Mix the flour and salt together in a bowlIf you are using oil (which helps to add elasticity but is optional and not necessary) add it to themug of water Add the water (with or without oil) to the salt and flour mixAdd most of the water stirring into the dry ingredients with a wooden spoon Add the last of thewater carefully as you will need more or less depending on humidity and the gradequality of theflourYou need to add enough to bind the ingredients without making it too sticky Empty onto a lightlyfloured surface and knead for at least ten minutes until the dough is smooth and slightly warm
A Few Tips for Modelling Salt DoughRoll out salt dough onto a lightly floured surface with a floured rolling pin or you could use abottle if you havent got a rolling pin Gently flattening salt dough with the heels of your hands willwork too but keep moving the dough to keep it even and turn it over to the fresh smooth sidejust before you begin cutting shapesKeep the thickness of your pieces under an inch much thicker than this and they wont hardenproperly in the middleUse a sharp knife to cut salt dough shapes but a blunt knife (or the back of a knife) is useful whenmarking lines onto the dough A scalpel or craft knife is best for cutting out intricate shapesUse pastry cutters plasticine moulds forks hair grips scrubbing brushes experiment withanything you have lying around the house
Cooking Salt DoughCook your salt dough pieces slowly in a very low oven The cooler and slower the better to preventdistortion in the cooking process These pieces were cooked at 140275 degrees or Gas Mark 1 forapproximately 2 hours but I often leave them all day in the oven at its lowest setting
Heartmade Gifts
Decorating Salt DoughYou can decorate your pieces before or after the cooking process Try adding food colouringherbs and spices tea or coffee to your dough as you knead it Or try painting your uncooked piecewith an egg wash for a lovely golden glowExperiment with various mediums on cooked pieces Gouache and acrylics work well but posterpaint is fine (if a little limited in colour variation) and you could try chalks felt tips or crayonsUse glue to add decorations including glitter sequins fabric bows tiny scraps of paper etcIts nice to leave the dough perfectly natural sometimes and sometimes a combination of naturaldough and painted areas works very wellVarnish thoroughly Any varnish will work I tend to use a spray varnish as a first coat to set thepaints then I add a few coats of a super store own brand wood varnish (If you need yourfinished piece to be especially waterproof try yacht varnish but be aware that it will tend tochange the colours making them yellowish)Use a small brush to get into all the nooks and crannies and allow each coat to dry thoroughlybefore applying the next one The more coats you apply the better protected your final pieceHowever unvarnished salt dough I have made for personal use (or the odd forgotten piece) hassurvived very well even in a slightly damp old house So dont let a lack of varnish deter you fromtrying salt dough But if you are creating a family heirloom four or five coats of a good varnish willensure it lasts for yearsTry these two Easter projects the ldquoEgg-stra Specialrdquo eggs are very quick and simple enough to dowith small children the primrose basket takes a while and is a little fiddly but well worth tryingand very easy to adapt by choosing your own flower or perhaps some other motif
~ Egg-stra Special Eggs ~
1 Form an egg shape from a small ball of dough by rolling in your hands and pressthis gently onto your baking tray(Its easier to build your salt dough pieces directly onto the tray you will use tocook them rather than try and move them while they are still uncooked I havebuilt my eggs onto the kitchen surface because it will be easier for you to see whatIm doing)
2 Roll out a piece of salt dough and use it to cover the bottom end of youregg like a blanket When you are happy with the position gently lift andrun a wet paintbrush between the two pieces to glue them together
3 Cut out an egg cup shape around your egg
4 Use a damp paintbrush to push the egg cup onto the eggand ensure it sticks
(A damp paintbrush also helps soften edges and blend any creases or cracks)
5 Uncurl an old metal paperclip and push into the dough to form a hangingloop You can use a piece of any wire I try and use paperclips or a piece of wire
coat-hanger as I like to recycle An alternative hanging method is to create a smallhole (or two holes for larger pieces) and thread a ribbon or piece of leather shoelacethrough the hole tying it to make a loop)
6 Cut out a small bow shape from a piece of flattened dough
7 Cut two ribbon ends from a rectangle of flattened dough
8 Use a wet paintbrush to layer the ribbon ends onto thetop of your egg
9 Attach the bow in position And add a small piece to the centre ofthe bow to finish
10 Cook
11 Decorate in whatever way takes your fancy hellip have fun
~ Primrose Basket ~
1 Cover a bowl in greaseproof paper and turn upside down onto your baking tray
2 Roll out some dough to approx 5mm thickness and cut into thin stripslong enough to cover your bowl
3 Lay four of these strips across the bottom ofyour bowl
4 Begin weaving four in the opposite direction by gently liftingalternate strips out of the way laying the cross strip and replacingthe lifted strips
5 Then add one strip to each side until you reach the edge of the bowl
6 Trim the edge with a knife or fold the stripsback to form a rough bowl lip You can indentsomething on the dough to secure anddecorate
7 Cook
8 Carefully remove the bowl and paper
9 Make primrose flowers and leaves and glue them to the rim with a wetpaintbrush replacing your bowl in the oven for a short whileLeaves ndash cut rough leaf shapes out of a piece of flatted dough and mark theveins and indent the edges with the back of a knifeFlowers ndash use a small heart cutter to cut 5 heart shapes and place on the rim with pointstogether indenting the centre with your fingertip and then marking with the end of a paintbrushPaint with whichever medium you prefer or have to hand I have used acrylics here leaving thebasket natural and painting the primrose leaves green and the flowers yellow adding someorange to the centres of the flowers while the yellow is still damp for a blurred effect
This article was written by Diannefrom Heartmade Gifts
Join Heartmade Gifts on Facebook
wwwheartmadegiftswordpresscom
Lilac Lace Heart LocketJewellery by Bina
Vintage Victorian StyledSweetheart Locket
Miss Bohemia
pound17
pound15
Emerald Bewitched
youmin
$40
The Bright Forest Locket
marisolspoon
$35
Cameral Locket
mydogandi
$2750
Creative CraftingFavourite
This article was created by
The Crystal Ladyhttpwwwmysticearthcouk
Lockets may sound very old fashioned but if you have a wander through thehandmade sites you will find a wealth of very modern and extremely beautifuldesigns Perfect for you to carry your loved ones with you wherever you go
Bee Joyful LocketThe Whimsical Wren
pound10
SteampunkWatch Mechanism
Locketedmdesigns
$85
Luscious LocketsLuscious Lockets
Who likes Chocolate CakeThis is a great recipe for Easter Mothers day or any other daylets admit it we all love chocolate
Ingredients
7 oz self raising flour8 oz caster sugar1 teaspoon of salt2 tablespoons of cocoa powder4 oz margarine2 eggs beaten with5 tablespoons evaporated milk5 tablespoons water1 teaspoon vanilla essence
1 Sift together flour sugar and salt and cocoa2 Rub in margarine3 Stir in eggs essence and liquids then beat well4 Grease and flour 2 8 inch cake tins divide the mixture between them5 Bake in a moderate over 325-350 F gas mark 3 about 35 minutes6 When cold sandwich together and cover in milk chocolate icing
Milk chocolate Icing
Ingredients
2 and a half oz margarine or butter4 tablespoons cocoa8 oz sieved icing sugar3 tablespoons hot milk1 teaspoon vanilla essence
Melt the margarine or butter and blend incocoa powder then stir in icing sugar milkand vanilla essence Beat until smooth andthick
We hope you all enjoy the recipe we would love to see anypictures of chocolate cakes that you make
Instructions
Instructions
Written and reviewed by Peggyrsquos Knitshttppeggyscollectionwebscom
By Sprinkles Sparkleshttpwwwsprinklessparklescouk
All prices are correct at the time of publication
Budget amp LuxurySpring special
Woodland DaffodilsCharm Bracelet
Coco Angel Rosepound1600
Spring Flower Hair ClipFlutter2me
pound450
Spring flowers broochDi Does Craft
pound800
Pink Spring Clutchfunky diva designs
pound1750
Cupcake BuntingCotton Cottage
pound1650
Purple TulipsWildrose Ridge
pound350
Chickadees and LilacsStained Glass WindowStained Glass Addie
pound4940
The Charlotte - SageRosalind Jamespound14500
Springtime 16 Crayon RollApple n Amos
pound509
Buttercup earrings in softyellow with peridot and brass
Goblins Marketpound401
Springtime DalaFolk Horse HangingDecoration - YellowCourt and Spark
pound400
D A P H N E - BrokenChina Plate Pendant
and Sterling Silver NecklaceDesigns by Mila
pound2228
To make the leaves
Using DK yarn and 300 mm hook make 5 leaves as follows
Rnd 1 9ch dc in 2nd ch 1htr in next ch 1tr in each of next 6ch 3ch ss in base of last tr worked
Now work on opposite side of stitches by turning the work
Rnd 2 3ch 1tr in each of next 6ch 1htr in next ch dc ss in top of first stFasten off and sew in loose ends
Materials
Small quantity of DK yarn I have used a yarn with awool-mix but any DK yarn of your choice will be suitableSmall quantity of kid mohair yarn (use two strands together)300 mm hook200 mm hookOne large buttonBrooch pinSewing needle
To make the small rose
Using a 200 mm hook and working two strands of kid mohair yarn together 13ch
Rnd 1 1tr 2ch 1tr in 4th ch (skip 2ch 1tr 2ch 1tr in next ch) 3 times (4 v- spaces)
Rnd 2 3ch 6tr into next v-space 1dc into space between v-spaces Continue with 6tr into eachv-space and 1dc in between spaces until end ss into last ch Fasten off
Roll the work with fingers from start to finish to create a small rose flower and sew together at thebase
Assembling the brooch
Turn the flower so the right side is facing up and sew the button in the centre of the flowerAttach the rose to the centre of the button as shown in diagram Sew a brooch pin to the back of theflower to complete the brooch
Arrange the 5 leaves to form a circle so thecorners of the leaves are touching Sew eachcorner together to form the petals of aflower
Turn the work so the wrong side is facing upand close the hole by sewing together withthe same DK yarn used to make the leaves
Crochet Flower Brooch
ch - chain stitchdc - double crochethtr - half treble crochetss - slip stitchtr - treble crochetst - stitch
Crochet Mobile PhoneiPod Cosy
Materials
50g Dk yarn in mustard colourSmall quantity of DK yarn in bright pink for picot edgingof cosy and small roseSmall quantity of DK yarn in sage green for leaves of roseflowerSize 300mm hook
Instructions for the cosy
The cosy can be made to fit a mobile phoneiPod of your choice
Pattern note the pattern is worked in dc throughout and worked in the round using the tapestrycrochet method of crochet This involves carrying a second yarn below the first making it verystrong
Foundation row
Using one strand of DK yarn in mustard make a chain that measures the width of your mobilephoneipod
Rnd 1 dc across row until the last chain 2dc in last chain Turn work
Rnd 2 Begin to carry a second strand of mustard yarn throughouteach round and every round from now on This yarn is not worked butcarried below the first strand of yarn
Work along the opposite side of the row just worked 1dc in first ch1ch in each chain until the last chain 2dc in last chain Now mark thelast stitch just worked with a different colour yarn so you can see theend of the round and keep moving this marker up to the last stitchworked
Rnd 3 Dc in each chain around working in spirals moving the stitchmarker as the piece grows Continue until the work measures thedesired length to fit the mobileiPod Fasten off and tie in loose ends
ch - chain stitchdc - double crochethtr - half treble crochetss - slip stitchtr - treble crochetst - stitch
Instructions for rose flower
Rnd 1 Using DK yarn in bright pink 1tr 2ch 1tr in 4th ch (skip 2ch1tr 2ch 1tr in next ch) 3 times (4 v- spaces)
Rnd 2 3ch 6tr into next v-space 1dc into space between v-spacesContinue with 6tr into each v-space and 1dc in between spaces untilend ss into last ch Fasten off
Roll the work with fingers from start to finish to create a small rose flower and sew together at thebase
Instructions for leaves
Using DK yarn and 300mm hook make 2 leaves as follows
Rnd 1 5ch dc in 2nd ch 1htr in next ch 1tr in each of next 2ch 3ch ss in base of last tr workedNow work on opposite side of stitches by turning the work
Rnd 2 3ch 1tr in each of next 2 ch 1htr in next ch dc ss in top of first st Fasten off and sew inloose ends
Assembly
Sew the leaves to the reverse of the rose and attach to the cosy as shown in the picture
Picot edging
Rnd 1 Using DK yarn in bright pink dc into each stitch around the edge of the cosy opening ss tofirst dc
Rnd 2 3ch ss into 2nd chain from hook ss into base of 3ch dc into next 2ch 3ch continuefrom to ss into last ch Fasten off and sew in loose ends
Written by Andrea Lesley Crochethttpwwwfolksycomshopsandrealesleycrochet
Materials
T - shirt - colour your choiceScissorsChainSewing needle and threadCorsage or embellishments
Step 1 First get a plain whitet-shirt
Step 2 Then cut off the neck Step 3 Now sew two pieces of chain to each side of where theneckline should be
Step 4 Cut a triangle out ofthe bottom of the t-shirt
Step 5 Tie the two ends thatare left into a knot or bow
Step 6 Finally add a corsageor flower to the front
Step 7 Now you have a bang on trend crop top simply wear over a vest top I loved designing andgokking up this t-shirt it took minutes and didnt cost a lot either
Corsage made by Madam SalamihttpwwwetsycomshopMadamSalami
Written By Heidi Jackson
Favourite finds from around the crafting communityThis months focus is Easter and Spring
Click on the images to take you to their store
Online StreetMISI
Ring With A FlowerBlue Fish Handmade
pound800
Spring necklace in glassand sterling silver
RosieJo Jewellerypound1275
Easter Eggs CardNaomi Constable
pound250
FOLKSY
Easter rabbit cushionwith choccie eggs
Phoebelinas Treasurespound500
Easter Knitted BagsFluerette
pound300
Small Gorgeous FeltSpring Bouquets
Spare Minute Productionspound2000
WOW THANK YOU
Green And Brown PetalFlower Bracelet
Sprinkles Sparklespound3750 inc pampp
Handmade Pink Canvas Wall Art(Set of 3)
Craft on Canvaspound3900 inc pampp
Blue Easter ChickDharmapaintings
pound12 20 inc pampp
All prices correct at the time of publication
Favourite finds from around the crafting communityThis months focus is Easter and Spring
Click on the images to take you to their store
Best PicksUGLY BE GONE
Handpainted DottyDolly Pegs
Ticketty Boopound650
Quirky Motifs ShopperRachael Taylor
pound1500
Collette the Cow BibBaby Boutique
pound1100
The Cutie Pie - recycledpaper butterfly shadow boxThe WingSpan Collection
pound6421
Easter 1 Square PendantHappy Easter Spring Flowers
Miss Gooseberry Pendantspound321
ETSY
RETROEasterplastic springfling daisy clip-on earringsamber brown makes art
pound208ARTFIRE
Easter Egg Mini Cards 2x2 6Peculiar Parchment
pound170
Spring Chicks - Little FusedGlass Dish - Easter Gift
First Light Glasspound926
4 Chocolate Easter ParadeBunny Lollipops extra large
Candy Cottagepound741
All prices correct at the time of publication
What you will need3 x 10 inch lengths of purple Cylon cord10mm silver plated lobster clasp and clasp tag2 x silver plated fold over necklace endsApprox 24 Rose Quartz gemstone chip beads(holes need to be large enough to thread onelength of the cylon cord though)2 x 4mm silver plated jump rings
Rose Quartz is the stone of unconditionalloveIt purifies and opens the heart helping thewearer to love themselves as well as others
Rose Quartz draws off negative energy andhelps release unexpressed emotions
Encourages self forgiveness and acceptanceaids self trust and self worth
I find it easier to use a macrame board for making this type of bracelet as it make it easier tokeep the design neat but its not essential I use a simple board made from a cork notice boardand pins I also use nylon nosed pliers to fold over the necklace ends as I find metal pliers oftenleave marks but again they arent essential
Step 2 Thread a chip bead onto each of the outer lengths ofcord
Step 3 Cross the outer cordsover the middle one as youwould in a braid Then braid thecords again
Step 1 Attach one of thenecklace ends to one end ofthe three lengths of CyloncordYou can then use the hole inthe end to attach the braceletto your board
Make a Rose Quartz Bracelet
Step 6 Attach the secondnecklace end to the three cordwithout cutting them as it makesit easier The ends can then betrimmed with a craft knife orsharp scissors
Step 7 Using the jump ringsattach the clasp to one end ofthe bracelet and the clasp tagto the other
Step 4 Thread two chip beadson to the new outer lengths ofcord and braid as in the previousstep
Step 5 Repeat step three and four untilthe bracelet reaches seven inchesor your desired length
(The clasp section will measureapproximately one inch)
If the cord ends become frayed they canbe fixed with a little super glue
Step 8 And there you areOne finished rose quartzbracelet
Would you like to share a craft project with Creative Crafting
Let us know what project you would like toshare with us
Anything from jewellery knitting and crochetcrafts paper crafts or a craft you feel hasbeen forgotten about
Email thecrystalladycreative-craftingcom
Written by Elderberry Artshttpwwwelderberryartscouk
To those who are not yet aware Prince William and Kate Middleton will tie the knot this month onFriday 29th April in a quiet little ceremony at Westminster Abbey To some this may mean getting aday off to celebrate the nuptials or actually attend the whole affair To others like myself who areself-employed there will be no day off and hence little difference from a normal day but we can stillbe happy for the two love birds entering a state of marital bliss for the first timeIn these uncertain economic times I am not sure how the Royal Wedding will affect the economyhow much money will people want to spend Will this mean street parties like those that dominatemany peoplersquos memories from Prince Charles and Dianarsquos wedding back in 1981 Will there be arush to purchase ridiculously crass lsquosouvenirrsquo mugs plates tea towels or will the market just not bethere at all with all the unsold Royal Wedding goods in the pound shops by JuneThe handmade and crafting sector needs to be aware of the sales potential created by this Royalevent and so products should be made available to support the celebrations and possibly make thecountry feel good about itself again Maybe a lovely warm spring day in April will be good for thecountry and make it forget its economic woes for a few hoursWe asked a number of our sellers about their experience of the last big Royal Wedding (Charles andDiana) and what they are going to do this time to celebrate There were mixed feelings ndash manywere too young to remember much about the 1981 event and even though I remember a day offfrom school I cannot remember any street parties or spontaneous Mardi Gras This time around Ithink money will be a big factor and most people will not stray too far from a bit of home baking inred white and blue and also a show of patriotic bunting Union Jacks are quite the lsquoin thingrsquo at themoment for interior design and so a patriotic statement may double as being hip and trendy
Kim Lampard of Zigzag Bunting thinks a great way tocelebrate the Royal Wedding is to make your own buntingShe suggests pulling together a pile of fabrics that you nolonger need but that hold cherished memories for you forexample your daughterrsquos first cute dress a tea-towel youbought on a special holiday an old bedspread made by your
Granny Even if the items are damaged so cannot be passed on to others there is always a littlecorner that can be cut up into a triangle to make a bunting flag Mix a few of these together and ifyou have enough for a colour scheme (such as red white and blue) fine but donrsquot worry the flagsdonrsquot even need to be the same size Sometimes a shabby chic lsquoMix and Matchrsquo approach turns outto be perfect Sew the fabric triangles onto a piece of ribbon or bias tape and you will have awonderful string of bunting to decorate for the special day You and your family will remember notonly the Royal Wedding when you bring out that bunting but have extra glimpses of their past inthe fabrics Definitely a memento to cherish
Gaye Weekes of A amp V Designs now lives in Snowdonia North Wales and onlyan hour away from Anglesey where the Royal couple will begin their marriedlife She has no doubt had that His Highness has been hovering over theirremote valley in his helicopter over recent months Gaye plans to be flying redwhite and green Welsh bunting for the wedding Her bunting is made fromvintage fabric from the 1950s and 1960s - a cotton heavy woven greenand cream floral and a jolly red and white gingham She adds ldquo
rdquo
This article was written by
from
httpwwwwowthankyoucouk
Karine Ait-Mohamed of The Pink Fairy Cake isFrench but now lives in England She says ldquo
rdquo In the spirit of the occasion Karinehas produced a product that combines both England and France into the celebration Shehas produced sets of two Union Jack hearts filled with lavender from Chateau la Gabelle inHaute-Provence
Lisa MacDonald of LisaMollyMacDonaldis quite enthusiastic about the weddingand getting caught up in the glamour of the
occasion ldquo
rdquo
Lou Carswell of Loubie Jewels has some prettyfantastic red white and blue jewellery which wouldbe suitable for a Royal wedding celebration She told
us ldquo
rdquo
So what can we gather from these observations It will be a nice idea to celebrate the RoyalWedding If we apply a little lsquowartimersquo austerity (handmade lends itself to recycling andupcycling) we shouldnrsquot have to spend a fortune We can step back from commercialism andbe involved in a low key but meaningful way that will make the event more memorable for itssimplicity and just a little thrift God Bless William and Kate
Tell us about yourself
My name is Sandra Ritchie I live in Cleethorpes UK with my husbandJason my 10 year old daughter Alisha my 2 year old son Alfred andour dog Dumbledore Primarily I am a housewife but in my sparetime I make jewellery of all kinds from beaded pieces to metal workbut mainly I make custom-made bespoke precious metal jewellery
When did your crafting begin and why
Many years ago I studied Jewellery and Metal Art at college andover time Ive collected the tools I needed but never got round tosetting up a workroom until 2009 when my Husband pointed outthat our Utility Room would be perfect for me to set up as aworkroom to start making jewellery again It seemed ideal Ialready had people interested in me making them some jewelleryand it meant I could stay at home and look after the children as wellas try to establish a name for myself as a Jewellery designermaker
What was the first item you made to sell online
The first item I made to sell whilst not specifically to sell online was asilver octopus necklace commissioned by an acquaintance of mine thathad seen the silver octopus necklace that I made for myself whilst atcollege and wanted one like it She has since purchased the silver andcopper entwined Dragon necklace and a commissioned silver Dragonand is back on my list for another piece to be made My number onefan I think
What is your biggest crafting achievement and why
I love all the pieces Ive created especially my Custom work but myfavourite piece of all is the Greenman necklace I was approached tomake something as a surprise for someone and was basically giventhe opportunity to produce something different to my usual pieces Ilove making pieces that are based on peoples ideas of what theywant that is really special but the Greenman necklace was mydesign based on what the customer wanted it to represent I had toteach myself etching for the piece as its something Id never learntand Im really pleased with how it worked out
Other than crafting what else do you like to do
I love spending time with my children and family I love baking andcooking too and I suppose I should admit to enjoying the oddrelaxing glass (or bottle) of nice wine when the children are in bed
wwwlittlefairycultcouk
Where would you like to be in 5 years
In 5 years time Id love to be in a better financial position so I canbuy silver and make silver jewellery to sell that isnt just Custom-made Ive started sneaking a few pieces of precious metal jewellerythat are for general sale onto my site
Where does your inspiration come from
My inspiration is usually from the customers themselves They tell mewhat it is they want and I design a piece to reflect that Sometimes theyalter the design slightly to reflect more of how they want it and that isfine For my bead jewellery its usually what beads I have in myworkroom that inspire my beaded pieces I very rarely buy beads for thereason that I have a design idea and usually just buy mixed lots of beadsand work with what I have
What are your favourite materials and why
I really love working with precious metals There is somethinguniquely satisfying about taking a flat sheet of metal and turning itinto a beautiful piece of jewellery Thats why I take pictures of thepieces as I am making them so that other people and the customerwhos item it is can enjoy seeing it progress from a blank piece ofprecious metal into the finished piece
What is favourite shop online that isnrsquot yours and why
Oh my There are so many amazing websites offering beautiful andunique handmade items but I will always take a look at Etsy to see ifthere is anything that catches my eye on there They have such a largevariety of designerssellers making almost everything but the kitchen sink(though I bet if you looked hard enough youd find one on there) Ireally enjoy the little treasuries they do too where you can browse aselection of items that are grouped together by themes
Has any person helped or supported you more than any other
I have had a lot of support from the good friends I have gained on Twitter and of coursemy real life friends have been extremely supportive too but the main reason I actuallysorted out my workroom (or corner of the utility room) was due to my husband insistingthat I start making jewellery again Luckily his insistence and support paid off virtuallystraight away when a friend asked for the octopus necklace I mentioned earlier to bemade
Tell us a random fact about yourself
I have known the sex of each child and whether Id be carrying one or more before I evenconceived them Fairly random but fact nevertheless
Kit includes seed beads 5 x handmade glass beads choker wire x 3 banglewire x 2 ring wire x 3 jewellery pliers beading mat instructions
Makes 8 fabulous and individual pieces of jewellery without the need forfiddly findings books or other money-wasters
Beaded Jewellery Kitpound12Japan Crafts
A coordinating selection of beads plus step-by-step full colour instructions to make your own version of the Jungle Collar design Learn how to work peyote stitch edge it with drops and embellish it with a lush fringe and beaded flowers and leaves Let your beading imagination run wild
Each kit is hand-picked and slightly different so the beads you receive may not be the exact onesshown in the photograph but you can be certain that your necklace will be uniqueThe kit comes carefully packaged in a handy reusable storage box the only things yoursquoll need inaddition are a beading needle a spool of nylon beading thread and some sharp scissors
Beadweaving Kit for Jungle Collar
pound38Lynn Davy
Fairy Earrings Jewellery Making Kit - Ages 7yrs+
pound5Jewellery Making Kits
These single kits are fabulous for all crafty and creative girls They also make great presents for school friends nieces sisters or even grown ups Each kit includes Sterling Silver earwires or studs a small selection of flowers for the skirt a pair of wings a few coloured glass pearls for the heads silver headpin Organza Bag Full set of instructionsSuitable for ages 7 years and up Requires a pair of pliers to finish off - all instructions included
Bracelet Kit - Chunky Swarovski Pearl and Crystal with Toggle Clasp
pound750Wonderstuff Craft Kits
A little kit of bronze Swarovski pearls and Golden Shadow Swarovski crystals silk and toggle clasp
Kit includes 11 x Swarovski 12mm Pearls Colour - Soft Bronze 3 x Swarovski Crystal 8mm Rondelles - Colour - Golden Shadow 8 x Swarovski Crystal 4mmBicones Colour - Light Colorado Topaz 1 x Silver Plated Toggle Bar 1 x Silver plated Toggle RingBracelet length of threading silk Instructions
This kit contains top quality beads to make an exquisite braceletno special tools are needed
Jewellery making kits
from the small crafterWersquove found a selection of wonderful beading kits for allages and experience These are not massed producedsets but offered by the small crafter
This article was created by The Crystal Lady httpwwwmysticearthcouk
This Months
This months lsquoMan of the Monthrsquo is Ade (Adrian)EdmondsonChosen by MegampMillie
This months lsquoLady of the Monthrsquo is GwenStefaniChosen by Claire Pearcy from Elderberry Arts
httpwwwgwenstefanicom
httpwwwunrealitytvcouklets-dance-for-comic-relieflets-dance-for-comic-relief-results-ade-edmondson-and-eighties-super-group-make-next-weeks-final
(Nothing like an April Fools)
This months lsquoBlog of the Month Awardrsquo goes to lsquoItrsquos All Fiddle Fartrsquo
httpitsallfiddlefartblogspotcom
This months lsquoShop of the Month Awardrsquo goes to lsquoJulias DriftwoodFurniturersquo
httpwwwfolksycomshopsseasandview123
ww
wc
reativ
e-cr
afting
co
mw
ww
cr
eative-c
on
nec
tion
snin
gc
om
CREATIVE CRAFTING
Our next issue will be available to read on
1st June 2010If you have missed any of our issues you
can find them to read on our websitewwwcreative-craftingcom
And also on our Social Network Creative Connectionswwwcreative-connectionsningcom
To advertise in Creative Crafting or to submit an article please contact Annaat thecrystalladycreative-craftingcom
AUGUSTSUMMER 2010
Issue 5
By Crafters for Crafters
Check out our
CraftersDirectory
CREATIVE CRAFTING
By Crafters for Crafters
Issue 3
ValentinesMothers Day 2010
HandcraftedWeddingSpecial
Valentine ampMothers Day
Projects
Have youbeen
featured
By Crafters for Crafters
Issue 3ValentinesMothers Day 2010
Handcrafted
Wedding
SpecialValentine amp
Mothers Day
ProjectsHave you
been
featured
By
EASTER 2010
Issue 4
FATHERS DAY 2010
Issue 4
By Crafters for Crafters
Ch
eck out our
Craft
ersDirectory
AUGUSTSUMMER 2
010
Issu
e 5
By Craf
ters fo
r Craf
ters
Chec
k out our
Crafters
Directory
CREATIVE
C
RAFTINGAU
TUM
N H
ALLO
WEE
N 201
0Is
sue
7
CREA
TIVE
CRAF
TIN
G
By Craf
ters f
or C
rafter
s
Chec
k
out our
Craft
ersDirect
ory
An
niv
ersa
ry
Issu
e
Donrsquot forget
All of our links andadverts are fullyclickable
If you would like to embed our magazine into your website blog myspace page etc you can
customise the code to suit your style and size
AUTUMN HALLOWEEN 2010
Issue 7CREATIVE CRAFTING
By Crafters for Crafters
Check out our
CraftersDirectory
Anniversary
Issue
CHRISTMAS 2010
Issue 8
By Crafters for Crafters
FATHERS DAY 2010
Issue 4
By Crafters for Crafters
Check out our
Crafters
Directory
EASTER 2010
Issue 4
By Crafters for Crafters
By Crafters for Crafters
VALENTINES 2011Issue 9
CREATIVE CRAFTING
Di saw it first craftreviews
Recycled fabric notebookjournal has 3 pages and is A5 size with2 decorative pagesThe front page also has a pretty nameplate with 3D flowers on it
Made very well and would be an absolutely wonderful gift for any one to receive regardless of their age Although it is unsuitable for very young children due to the decorative disc on the front cover My nieces both loved this notebook and I am sure it would be a great gift for little girls and a very special keepsake book
wwwfolksycomshopsdabdash
Nursing necklace from a company called Booby and The BeadsAbsolutely stunning colours and made very well Pinks and reds reallycompliment each other Packaged in a beautiful pink organza bag
A great idea for a present for any ladyhttpwwwfacebookcompagesBooby-The-Beads-Nursing-Necklaces-Reminder-Bracelets -more157477778613
Lovely handmade bookmark made with material andcharms So different and would make an excellentgift Never seen a bookmark with so much detail onBefore
Gorgeous handmade charm packaged and has so muchdetail on it This would be perfect on your bag or keys and Iam sure everyone would ask where you bought it from Bothpackaged beautifullywwwd-k-designscouk
You could win all these goodies by entering our giveaway
Just enter you name and email address to be in fora chance of winning all these handmade gifts
wwwcreative-craftingcomgiveawayhtml
Closing date for entries is 31st May 2011
Written and reviewed by Peggyrsquos Knitshttppeggyscollectionwebscom
Make this simple striking necklace using beadedheadpins and chain to add a bold statement
to your favourite outfit
MaterialsI used Beads Unlimited products in the following quantities tocomplete the jewellery set -
100g x high quality glass mix pink tones (GLXH22)1 x 40 mm silver foil flat round lime green (GLCN4028)50 cm x heavy chain ( sold per meter) silver plated (CHHSP)2 x (1 pack of 10) 8 mm jump ring silver plated (JR8SP)1 x pack of 100 headpins silver plated (HPSP)2 x (1 pack of 6) long ballwires silver plated (LBWSP)1 x (1 pack of 12) eyepins silver plated (EPSP)1 x trigger clasp silver plated (TRGSP)You will also need a pair of multi pliers (CRMT)
Step 1 Thread thelime green beads ontoan eyepinWith the round nosedpart of the pliers bendthe eyepin into a loopdonrsquot close it yet
Step 2 Measure andCut 28 cm and 12 cmof chainAttach one length toeach eye on the beadedeyepin and close theloop
Step 3 Thread a beadof your choice from thepink mix onto a headpinTrim the headpin 1 cmabove the beadsAttach to the chain linknext to the lime greenbeads Close the loop
Gemma is inspired by everything around her from colourand form to the materials she uses and by using manytraditional techniques with contemporary ideas she createsjewellery with her individual style
Make your ownStriking Necklace and Earrings
Step 4 Continue to addbeads from the pink mixin the way to create atapered look on each sideThe shorter length of chainshould be beaded along 5 cmand the longer length 14 cm
Step 5 Attach and 8 mmjump ring to one and of thenecklace ends and a jumpring with a trigger clasp tothe other
Finished necklace
To make the earringsCut a 5 cm length of chain Attach a long ballwire to one end and bead inthe same way as the necklace Make sure you attach a bead to the endlineRepeat to make a pair
Designed by Gemma fromwwwbeadsunlimitedcouk
This necklace and earring set could be yoursVisit wwwcreative-craftingcomgiveawayto enter
Competition end date is -31st May 2011
Beautiful Jewellery to helpyou through life
wwwmysticearthcouk
These pieces of unique jewellery makethe perfect gift for a loved one or a much
needed treat for yourself
MYSTIC EARTH
Have you ever thought ofhaving a piece of
Gemstone and CrystalHealing Jewellery Created
lsquojust for yoursquoEach stone matched to your needs
The Crystal Lady at Mystic Earthcan offer you this service
Quality KnittedItems
httpwwwpeggyscollectionwebscom
PeggyrsquosCollection
Made with love and care
Mother Nature has provided us withwonderful Healing Gemstones and Minerals
PeridotFor this Issue discover the beauty of
(MgFe)2(SiO4)+AlCaMnNiCoCrTi
If you would likemore information about
Crystal Healing Jewelleryyou can contact
The Crystal Lady atthecrystalladymysticearthcouk
httpwwwmysticearthcoukor visit
In the Middle Ages Peridot was employed for warding off evil spiritsand to bestow wisdom and friendship
Mentally -Dissolves oppressive feelings that arise from self-blameAllows us to forgive ourselves
Physically - Peridot has a strong detoxifying effect and stimulates the liverEnhances the liver and gallbladder helps with skin problems even warts
Chakra - Heart Solar Plexus
Peridot Mini Hair Comb
pound14
Lime Crush
pound35Victorian Sterling Silver
Peridot Ring
$38
Chocolate Pearl and PeridotNecklace
$78Jasper Peridot Rhyolite
and Pearl Necklace
pound45
Peridot Chip Bracelet
pound7
As a woman in the UK today if you attend a wedding or the races andparticularly if you are lucky enough to go to Ladies Day at Royal Ascotthen it is usually expected that you should wear a hat or nowadaysa fascinator
If you want to get ahead get a hat
People have always worn hats in someform whether as a protective head covering oras a mark of status within society hats have alwayshad their place In the 15th century it was expectedthat women keep their hair covered wearing veilsand wimples and refashioned male hats were alsopopular
But it was not until the 17th century that womenrsquosheadwear began to take the familiar shape that it does today Bonnetsbecame increasingly popular and at times could be extremely elaboratetrimmed with ribbons lace and feathers
The term lsquomillinerrsquo meaning a maker of womenrsquos hats refers to products derived from Milan andNorthern Italy such as the straws and ribbons used in the making of hats
The haberdashers who imported of these products were known as lsquoMillanersrsquo from which we getthis term The first use of the term in the UK was in the 1700rsquos
Hats were extremely popular at the turn of the 20th century not only forspecial occasions Victorian hats were large brimmed and ornatelydecorated with flowers feathers ribbons and beads The austerity of theSecond World War led to their eventual decline as an everyday pieceof a womanrsquos wardrobe
Nowadays hats and the ever popular fascinator are seeing a resurgencenot in the least thanks to the influences of women such as Sarah JessicaParker Paloma Faith and of course Kate Middleton
Choosing a hat or fascinator needs careful consideration Height faceshape and personality all play a part in shaping your decision A boldfascinator is a statement piece and is certainly not for the shy
Everyone can wear some type of hat or fascinator its just a matter of finding the right one to suityou
There are some amazing British professional milliners working today not least including thelikes of Stephen Jones and Phillip Treacy but you will also find in the UK some wonderful millinersselling their designs on Etsy each producing unique designs to put the perfect finish to any outfitwhatever the occasion
Off With Her Head is run by self taught designer and milliner Lisa Poolewhose designs are fuelled by a love of vintage fashion and moviecostumes
Based in Fife Scotland she prides herself on creating each piece by handand loves to create bespoke pieces for her customers
Off With Her Head focuses on creating vintage inspired pieces andalthough Lisa creates hats and fascinators from various eras in historyshe admits to being a little biased towards the 1950rsquos as its her favouritedecade for fashion
Whatever direction Off With Her Head takes the ethos behind the businessremains the same - quality hats and fascinators at a reasonable price
Off With Her Head ndash Vintage Inspired Millinery
Etsy Store httpwwwetsycomshopmadamequeenyWebsite wwwoffwithherheadcouk
Annalisa Maria Millinery
Annalisa of Annalisa Maria Millinery has always adored hats andbeing the type of person who loves to make things she quitenaturally became interested in millinery
Trained at Kensington and Chelsea college famous for itsmillinery alumni where she learnt all the basics of the trade
She now works out of her London home producing beautifulone of a kind hats and head pieces
Etsy Store wwwetsycomshopdesignsbyannalisa
With so much choice there is absolutely no excuse not to finish your outfit with stunning hatfascinator or headpiecehellip and as they say
Written By Lisa PooleFrom Off With Her Headwwwoffwithherheadcouk
Ella Gajewska is a professional milliner working in London Hats are thelove of her life She has been working as a milliner since 1996 thoughher passion for hats started much earlier in her childhood when Ellacreated hats for her dolls to give them a bit more of an extravagantlook
Having achieved success in Poland where she was a milliners ateliermanager and an inspiring teacher for other young milliners she decidedto take her chances in London the world capital of hats
Since 2001 Ella Gajewska has had the chance of working for renownedateliers and milliners Working in England alongside the best designersof various head wear she has had the chance to develop and perfecther skills even more
Ella Gajewska
Etsy Store wwwetsycomshopEllaGajewskaWebsite wwwellagajewskacom
Little Miss B Design
Little Miss B started out making hats and accessories for herselfand friends uninspired by what was available on the high streetShe decided that shersquod like to give a wider audience the chanceto own a unique Little Miss B creation so began her foray intofashion and millinery
Her inspirations comes from days gone by when style andglamour were more apparent and the quality of craftsmanshipwas high From the 1920s to the 1960s vintage to rockabillyLittle Miss B brings it to the present day with a modern twist
Etsy Store httpwwwetsycomshopLittleMissBDesign
Ive always been artistic in one form or another As a child I always paintedand drew a lot At school I did everything from make a wooden fish pencilholder perspex badges pottery and childrens toys I was very into pencildrawings and shading but I loved using watercolour and other textures formy more cartoonManga style art
I was never very good at what back then was deemed the Girlie stuff I wasmore into woodwork and moulding and graphics This is probably what mademe choose my Bachelor of Science Degree in Architectural Technology Formy degree we used a lot of CAD (Computer Aided Design) to design buildings and building materialsWe also had to craft models of some of our own designs with foam board and other materials I wasin my element with this part of the curriculum
The great thing about craftdesignmaking things - whatever you want to call it is that there is a freedom in Art that you do not get anywhere else There is no right and wrong and no rules The rules come later At the point of concept it is just you and your imagination Which is very liberating and also quite scary because we are conditioned to think within the constraints of rules Art has no rules
Dianes Celebrity ChatsOur lovely Di from Peggyrsquos Knits chats to another celebrity about crafting
Tanya has worked on a number of shows the most recent being the character Adele Alfrey in ITVrsquos Emmerdale She has also worked on other familiar shows with awardwinning producers directors and writers She starred in the BBCcomedy Kerching Her first professional role was in Holby CityShe is also an accomplished presenter and budding playwrightTanya is a former student of the National Youth TheatreTanya told me how she has been artistic about how she sees artand her views on crafting
Please all take a look at Tanyarsquos website which ishttpwwwtanyavitalcom
What you will needFleece material - To determine the size needed- measure the circumference of your head(around your ears) and add 12 inch for seamallowance This will be the width and the lengthmeasurement is 20 inchesCotton thread in the same or contrasting colour
Average Head Sizes -
Newborn (6 months and younger)Circumference 14 to 17 inchesCrown 8 to 10 inches
Infant (6 to 12 months)Circumference 16 to 19 inchesCrown 11 to 12 inches
Child (12 months to 3 years)Circumference 18 to 20 inchesCrown 11 to 12 inches
Step 1 Lay out your fleece on a flat surface anddraw out a rectangle using the measurements forthe hat size required This should be 20 inches longand the width will be the circumference measurementof the size hat your making plus 12 inch seamallowance So to make a hat for a child with a headcircumference of 15 inches the width should be15 12 inches
Claire from Elderberry Arts shows us how to make achildrens hat from fleece material
Why not experiment this Easter holiday
Below are easy to follow instructions and a sizing guide
Thin length of fleece approx 12 inches by12 inchRuler or tape measureTailors chalk or penScissorsPinsSewing needles or sewing machine
Elderberrry Arts
Step 4 Place the right sides of the fleecetogether and pin along the length of thematerial Sew along this edge either by handor machine Knot ends and sewing inside thehem You can trim this hem to make it even andneater if needed
Step 5 Turn the hat right side out andarrange it so the seam is in the middleback From the bottom of your hatmeasure the crown length and place thefleece strip under the hat at this point
Step 6 Tie the ends of thestrip together and pull tightto gather hat
Step 7 Now cut the topsection of the hat into stripsapproximately 12 inch wide
Once youve cut all the wayround the strips can be trimmedto shorten them if required
You could also thread plastic ponybeads on some or all of the stripsknotting the bottom to secure them
Step 2 Cut out the rectangleof fleece Then cut a strip 12inches by 12 inch of fleecefrom the leftover material
Step 3 Pin a hem approx12 inch wide across theshorter length of fleece
Sew either by hand or machineKnot ends and sewing insidethe hem
Written by Elderberry Artshttpwwwelderberryartscouk
Rug Making Ragtag RugsWith
Looking for something fabulous to make using all your old T-shirts sweat shirts and other disusedgarments If so this could be the project for you
The craft of making rag rugs is very traditional and dates backto the mid eighteen hundreds itrsquos still very relevant today whatwith the importance of recycling the other great thing aboutit is that the design on the rug can pretty much be whateveryou want it to be - an image of your pet or your house anabstract or geometric design or something floral traditionalhellip itrsquos totally up to you and your imagination
The technique Irsquoll be using for this project is a method calledlsquohookingrsquo which is very simple and produces a soft and hardwearing pile Irsquove tried to keep everything simple and equipment to a minimum so that everyone canhave a go My favourite fabrics to use are the afore mentioned T-shirts and sweat shirts as they frayvery little but most textiles of a medium thickness can be used
MaterialsVirtually any material can be used in a rag rug some materials are easier to work with than othersThe best materials to use for hooking include T-shirts sweat shirts lightweight cottonssynthetics amplightweight woolsynthetic jumpers Fabrics such as heavy weight denim are not suitableFor this project Irsquove used plain fabrics but patterned fabrics can also be used
HookingStep 1 Working with the Hessian design side up poke the hook through the Hessian and grab thestrip of fabric underneath with the hook
Step 2 Pull the end of the strip of fabric up through the Hessian so that you leave a tail of at least1 cm sticking up
Step 3 Move the hook along about half a centimeter poke it back down through the Hessian andpull a loop of fabric up through to the top of the Hessian a loop height of about 1 cm is best thenjust repeat this technique filling in the required area when you reach the end of a fabric strip pullthe end up through the Hessian and trim it so itrsquos the same height as the loopsMake sure your loops are dense enough and you canrsquot see any of the Hessian backing There is noneed to physically fix the loops in place as they will stay put automatically due to the thickness ofThe fabric and the denseness of the loops
What you will needA piece of Hessian measuring 90 cm x 110 cmSelection of fabrics cut into strips measuring1 - 2 cm wide depending on the thickness ofthe fabric and avoid any seamsRug hookDressmakers pinsScissors
Large-eyed needleBall of woolMarker penYard stick metre ruler2 sheets of thin A4 card or a flattened cereal packetCompassPencil
Ragtag Rugs Rug Making Ragtag RugsWith
Step 1 Using the compass and pencildraw two circles measuring 185 cmacross on the sheets of card and cut theseout using the scissors
Step 2 Using the marker pen and metre rule draw a rectangle on the piece of Hessian measuring63 cm x 84 cm leaving a boarder of about 12 cm all the way around the rectangle Divide therectangle into four giving you central lines for the width and length of the rug Place the card spotson the Hessian in the appropriate places and draw around them using the marker pen for the halfand quarter spots fold one of the card templates accordingly and then draw around it Draw in yourdesigns within the spots
Step 3 Fold under the raw edges of the Hessian and stitch with arunning stitch using the large-eyed needle and wool this is to preventthe Hessian fraying selvedge edges can be left as they are
Step 4 Hook in the strips of fabrics filling in the spots first and then thebackground You can either use the design shown here or make up yourown spots and colour scheme
Step 5 When completed lay the rug face down on the floor and turn in a hem of about 6 cms tothe back of the rug and pin it all the way around fold and pin the corners as neatly as possibleSew the hem to the back of the rug with a running stitch using the large-eyed needle and woolVoila You have a rug
wwwfolksycomshopsragtagrugs
Written by Ragtag Rugs
SupplierFor an American Style Rug Hook costing about pound750 and also Hessian go to Fred Aldous CraftSupplies wwwfredaldouscouk
NoteSome people prefer to use a rug making frame which helps to keep the rugsquare but as the rug wersquore making here is fairly small and wersquore keepingthings simple Irsquove dispensed with this
The first item I sold online was on my Folksy shop(httpwwwfolksycomshopsLaurabyTheSea) and was a vintage ceramic andbead brooch the buyer was very pleased with it and gave me great feedback
Tell us about yourselfMy name is Laura and I live by the sea in the East of England Pakefield to be precise I live with my wonderful Brother who is a musician so we have a very creative household and in our bright conservatory I make ldquoLaura by The Seardquo jewellery (from necklaces brooches amp bracelets to ear rings and hair slides) using vintage ceramics I break vintage crockery hand sand it to ensure there are no sharp edges and make the shards into beautiful jewellery
When did your crafting begin and whyI began studying ceramics during my BA Hons degree in Fine Art at The University of Portsmouthwhich is where my obsession for vintage crockery began to grow Initially I began by making newplates and tea cups with vintage shards in but soon the beauty of the ceramic shards startedappealing to me which is when I had the idea of making jewellery out of them - and one day I justdid it and havenrsquot stopped since I just love how the cute patterns really stand out against the silverchain
What was the first item you made to sell online
What is your biggest crafting achievement and why
I think my biggest crafting achievement since starting Laura by The SeaJewellery has to be getting interviewed for the national ldquoMAKE Jewelleryrdquomagazine as their new ldquoIt accessoryrdquo designer I totally didnrsquot expect themto contact me via my Folksy store
Other than crafting what else do you like to do
In my spare time I like to paint I write I stronglybelieve it is the simple things in life that count I am a collectorof anything old with a story and pick up anything found on the seashore First morning sunshine trawling antique treasure troves walks on the sand with my pooch Sepia tones and seeing life through a lens makes me happy I do a photographyfashion blog(laurabytheseatumblrcom) and am a very sociable person These are a fewof my favourite things and yes that should include raindrops on roses andbrown paper packages tied up with string
Where would you like to be in 5 years
In 5 years time I would love to be able to do this on a full time basis tomake enough money to live I am aiming to have my jewellery sold in manyUK wide independent stores and hopefully a few abroad However theultimate dream is to have my jewellery featured in Vogue
The first item I sold online was on my Folksy shop(httpwwwfolksycomshopsLaurabyTheSea) and was a vintage ceramic andbead brooch the buyer was very pleased with it and gave me great feedback
Where does your inspiration come from
My inspiration comes from trawling antique and vintage shops photography (one of my current favphotographers is Elizabeth Sarah from America) and I am always inspired by other people When Iget talking with my friends about anything creative the juices start flowing and I get more designideas I am also inspired and work along with music (anything from RampB amp Hip-hop to Reggae andJazz I have an eclectic mix)
What are your favourite materials and why
Vintage ceramics because I adore the vintage floral prints on the crockeryand like the idea of being as eco-friendly as possible and like to only userecycled materials in my jewellery
What is favourite shop online that isnrsquot yours and why
My favourite online shop has to be Loglike a contemporary gift and home ware store with vintageelements The owner makes cute candlesticks from vintage plates and saucers that look amazing onmy coffee table (see httpwwwfolksycomshopsLoglike)
Has any person helped or supported you more than any other
I would have to say my parents and Brother Not just financially when Iwas a poor struggling student but they are supportive with everything Ido in life and I just couldnrsquot do without them My brother is more like abest friend
Tell us a random fact about yourself
I have 23 dresses in my wardrobe and have a vinyl collection of mostly 1980rsquos music (my guiltypleasure)
httpwwwfolksycomshopsLaurabyTheSea
Visit
Lauraat
in the GardenHi Irsquom Tina
Good to have you visit with me again in The GardenI think we will sit in the conservatory this morning the sun is juststreaming in it is so wonderful to feel the warmth after such a coldwinter I have the kettle on and some little iced biscuits butremember we must not over indulge me especially as I have notbeen working in the garden so much just sitting in doors munching
Well Spring is here at last and it does seem to be in a hurrythis year the crab apple is already in bud and also the fruittrees
I had my own little piece of garden and the plants therewere in my charge if I forgot to water them and theydied mother would say you have to be responsible givethem a little care and you will be rewarded with so muchbeauty and as I look around the garden today thebeauty just takes my breath awayI checked out the herbs after the winter and just look atthis monster itrsquos the parsley how great is this
Here is a photo of the willow catkins or lambs tails as mymother used to call them she was a country woman andknew every wild flower by their old country names sheloved all nature and her garden and was my inspirationfrom an early age
wwwtina-in-the-gardenblogspotcom
Also I think that this flower is really confused it is of coursean antirrhinum when I emptied the summer bedding fromthe tubs some were still fine so I planted them in thegarden and as you can see have been well rewarded Alsosome silver foliage plants which I cannot remember thename of and of course have lost thelabel they seem to think that it isalready summer
At the moment you can get into the bog it does not look half as mysterious as it does inthe summer you can even see the streamMy better half and I have one or two projects this summer well I have theideas and he makes them work howlucky am I So watch this space
Oh you have to leave well thank you again for coming be safe until your next visit withme in The Garden
Your green fingered friendTina
The bluebells are coming throughin the wood not long now beforethey flower they have to hurrybefore the trees get their leaves
Creative CraftingAdvertise with
wwwcreative-craftingcomadvertisehtml
A mouse herecould take customers
to your store
We care about yourcraft business
Prices startfrom
only pound2
There are a lot of different crafts to choose fromThis series of articles will discover some of the more unusual and also some
old world crafts that may have been almost forgotten
This article was created by
The Crystal Ladyhttpwwwmysticearthcouk
Sold by Amazon
Knitting with Dog Hairby Anne Montgomery
Contains easy step-by-step instructions for collecting cleaningstoring and spinning your dogs fur The book includes originalknitting patterns for the novice and the pro - from mittens toshawls to lace collars from your cats hair
How to Knit a Dog Hair Sweater
E-How
The brushed undercoat of a dog is called chiengora and can be used for knittingcrocheting or felting just like lambs wool or other yarn Dogs hair has been used forcenturies for weaving blankets and other coverings Dogs hair is much warmer thanwool Here is how to knit a sweater from dog hair
After the tutorial the writer goes on to leave a warning that dog hair is much warmerthan wool and an entire garment made of dog hair will be too hot to wear
I also found a very fascinating article about a lady called Laurie Moy on the Boulder DailyCamera website
Better a sweater from a dog you know and love than from a sheepyoull never meet
Warp and woof-woof Making clothes out of dog hair
Read more Boulder Daily Camera
This was discovered in an American newspaper by Creative Craftings Tinawe just had to tell you about it
I did some Googling about this and apparently there is quite alot about it I found a tutorial on the popular E-How site
Irsquom sure like me yoursquoll find this quite fascinatingIf any of our spinners out there fancy a go atcreating some yarn from their pooches we wouldlove to see some of the results It is also a greatidea for recycling all of that fluff that you areconstantly sweeping up off your sofa or yourcarpet There really is a use for most things afterall
Salt dough is so quick and easy (and therapeutic) to make endlessly adaptable a joy to sharewith the kids and has the advantage of being made from store-cupboard basics (although youcould make these projects in clay or fimo or even plasticine)The drawbacks are that it takes a while to cookpaintvarnish it will dissolve in wet or very dampconditions and will break if you drop it So allow yourself a couple of days to produce a finishedpiece and varnish thoroughly when decorated to protect against any damage
Making a Batch of Salt Dough
1 Mug of Table Salt2 Mugs of Plain FlourApprox 1 Mug of Tepid Water (Add final frac14 slowly)1 Tablespoon of Olive or Vegetable Oil (Optional)
Mix the flour and salt together in a bowlIf you are using oil (which helps to add elasticity but is optional and not necessary) add it to themug of water Add the water (with or without oil) to the salt and flour mixAdd most of the water stirring into the dry ingredients with a wooden spoon Add the last of thewater carefully as you will need more or less depending on humidity and the gradequality of theflourYou need to add enough to bind the ingredients without making it too sticky Empty onto a lightlyfloured surface and knead for at least ten minutes until the dough is smooth and slightly warm
A Few Tips for Modelling Salt DoughRoll out salt dough onto a lightly floured surface with a floured rolling pin or you could use abottle if you havent got a rolling pin Gently flattening salt dough with the heels of your hands willwork too but keep moving the dough to keep it even and turn it over to the fresh smooth sidejust before you begin cutting shapesKeep the thickness of your pieces under an inch much thicker than this and they wont hardenproperly in the middleUse a sharp knife to cut salt dough shapes but a blunt knife (or the back of a knife) is useful whenmarking lines onto the dough A scalpel or craft knife is best for cutting out intricate shapesUse pastry cutters plasticine moulds forks hair grips scrubbing brushes experiment withanything you have lying around the house
Cooking Salt DoughCook your salt dough pieces slowly in a very low oven The cooler and slower the better to preventdistortion in the cooking process These pieces were cooked at 140275 degrees or Gas Mark 1 forapproximately 2 hours but I often leave them all day in the oven at its lowest setting
Heartmade Gifts
Decorating Salt DoughYou can decorate your pieces before or after the cooking process Try adding food colouringherbs and spices tea or coffee to your dough as you knead it Or try painting your uncooked piecewith an egg wash for a lovely golden glowExperiment with various mediums on cooked pieces Gouache and acrylics work well but posterpaint is fine (if a little limited in colour variation) and you could try chalks felt tips or crayonsUse glue to add decorations including glitter sequins fabric bows tiny scraps of paper etcIts nice to leave the dough perfectly natural sometimes and sometimes a combination of naturaldough and painted areas works very wellVarnish thoroughly Any varnish will work I tend to use a spray varnish as a first coat to set thepaints then I add a few coats of a super store own brand wood varnish (If you need yourfinished piece to be especially waterproof try yacht varnish but be aware that it will tend tochange the colours making them yellowish)Use a small brush to get into all the nooks and crannies and allow each coat to dry thoroughlybefore applying the next one The more coats you apply the better protected your final pieceHowever unvarnished salt dough I have made for personal use (or the odd forgotten piece) hassurvived very well even in a slightly damp old house So dont let a lack of varnish deter you fromtrying salt dough But if you are creating a family heirloom four or five coats of a good varnish willensure it lasts for yearsTry these two Easter projects the ldquoEgg-stra Specialrdquo eggs are very quick and simple enough to dowith small children the primrose basket takes a while and is a little fiddly but well worth tryingand very easy to adapt by choosing your own flower or perhaps some other motif
~ Egg-stra Special Eggs ~
1 Form an egg shape from a small ball of dough by rolling in your hands and pressthis gently onto your baking tray(Its easier to build your salt dough pieces directly onto the tray you will use tocook them rather than try and move them while they are still uncooked I havebuilt my eggs onto the kitchen surface because it will be easier for you to see whatIm doing)
2 Roll out a piece of salt dough and use it to cover the bottom end of youregg like a blanket When you are happy with the position gently lift andrun a wet paintbrush between the two pieces to glue them together
3 Cut out an egg cup shape around your egg
4 Use a damp paintbrush to push the egg cup onto the eggand ensure it sticks
(A damp paintbrush also helps soften edges and blend any creases or cracks)
5 Uncurl an old metal paperclip and push into the dough to form a hangingloop You can use a piece of any wire I try and use paperclips or a piece of wire
coat-hanger as I like to recycle An alternative hanging method is to create a smallhole (or two holes for larger pieces) and thread a ribbon or piece of leather shoelacethrough the hole tying it to make a loop)
6 Cut out a small bow shape from a piece of flattened dough
7 Cut two ribbon ends from a rectangle of flattened dough
8 Use a wet paintbrush to layer the ribbon ends onto thetop of your egg
9 Attach the bow in position And add a small piece to the centre ofthe bow to finish
10 Cook
11 Decorate in whatever way takes your fancy hellip have fun
~ Primrose Basket ~
1 Cover a bowl in greaseproof paper and turn upside down onto your baking tray
2 Roll out some dough to approx 5mm thickness and cut into thin stripslong enough to cover your bowl
3 Lay four of these strips across the bottom ofyour bowl
4 Begin weaving four in the opposite direction by gently liftingalternate strips out of the way laying the cross strip and replacingthe lifted strips
5 Then add one strip to each side until you reach the edge of the bowl
6 Trim the edge with a knife or fold the stripsback to form a rough bowl lip You can indentsomething on the dough to secure anddecorate
7 Cook
8 Carefully remove the bowl and paper
9 Make primrose flowers and leaves and glue them to the rim with a wetpaintbrush replacing your bowl in the oven for a short whileLeaves ndash cut rough leaf shapes out of a piece of flatted dough and mark theveins and indent the edges with the back of a knifeFlowers ndash use a small heart cutter to cut 5 heart shapes and place on the rim with pointstogether indenting the centre with your fingertip and then marking with the end of a paintbrushPaint with whichever medium you prefer or have to hand I have used acrylics here leaving thebasket natural and painting the primrose leaves green and the flowers yellow adding someorange to the centres of the flowers while the yellow is still damp for a blurred effect
This article was written by Diannefrom Heartmade Gifts
Join Heartmade Gifts on Facebook
wwwheartmadegiftswordpresscom
Lilac Lace Heart LocketJewellery by Bina
Vintage Victorian StyledSweetheart Locket
Miss Bohemia
pound17
pound15
Emerald Bewitched
youmin
$40
The Bright Forest Locket
marisolspoon
$35
Cameral Locket
mydogandi
$2750
Creative CraftingFavourite
This article was created by
The Crystal Ladyhttpwwwmysticearthcouk
Lockets may sound very old fashioned but if you have a wander through thehandmade sites you will find a wealth of very modern and extremely beautifuldesigns Perfect for you to carry your loved ones with you wherever you go
Bee Joyful LocketThe Whimsical Wren
pound10
SteampunkWatch Mechanism
Locketedmdesigns
$85
Luscious LocketsLuscious Lockets
Who likes Chocolate CakeThis is a great recipe for Easter Mothers day or any other daylets admit it we all love chocolate
Ingredients
7 oz self raising flour8 oz caster sugar1 teaspoon of salt2 tablespoons of cocoa powder4 oz margarine2 eggs beaten with5 tablespoons evaporated milk5 tablespoons water1 teaspoon vanilla essence
1 Sift together flour sugar and salt and cocoa2 Rub in margarine3 Stir in eggs essence and liquids then beat well4 Grease and flour 2 8 inch cake tins divide the mixture between them5 Bake in a moderate over 325-350 F gas mark 3 about 35 minutes6 When cold sandwich together and cover in milk chocolate icing
Milk chocolate Icing
Ingredients
2 and a half oz margarine or butter4 tablespoons cocoa8 oz sieved icing sugar3 tablespoons hot milk1 teaspoon vanilla essence
Melt the margarine or butter and blend incocoa powder then stir in icing sugar milkand vanilla essence Beat until smooth andthick
We hope you all enjoy the recipe we would love to see anypictures of chocolate cakes that you make
Instructions
Instructions
Written and reviewed by Peggyrsquos Knitshttppeggyscollectionwebscom
By Sprinkles Sparkleshttpwwwsprinklessparklescouk
All prices are correct at the time of publication
Budget amp LuxurySpring special
Woodland DaffodilsCharm Bracelet
Coco Angel Rosepound1600
Spring Flower Hair ClipFlutter2me
pound450
Spring flowers broochDi Does Craft
pound800
Pink Spring Clutchfunky diva designs
pound1750
Cupcake BuntingCotton Cottage
pound1650
Purple TulipsWildrose Ridge
pound350
Chickadees and LilacsStained Glass WindowStained Glass Addie
pound4940
The Charlotte - SageRosalind Jamespound14500
Springtime 16 Crayon RollApple n Amos
pound509
Buttercup earrings in softyellow with peridot and brass
Goblins Marketpound401
Springtime DalaFolk Horse HangingDecoration - YellowCourt and Spark
pound400
D A P H N E - BrokenChina Plate Pendant
and Sterling Silver NecklaceDesigns by Mila
pound2228
To make the leaves
Using DK yarn and 300 mm hook make 5 leaves as follows
Rnd 1 9ch dc in 2nd ch 1htr in next ch 1tr in each of next 6ch 3ch ss in base of last tr worked
Now work on opposite side of stitches by turning the work
Rnd 2 3ch 1tr in each of next 6ch 1htr in next ch dc ss in top of first stFasten off and sew in loose ends
Materials
Small quantity of DK yarn I have used a yarn with awool-mix but any DK yarn of your choice will be suitableSmall quantity of kid mohair yarn (use two strands together)300 mm hook200 mm hookOne large buttonBrooch pinSewing needle
To make the small rose
Using a 200 mm hook and working two strands of kid mohair yarn together 13ch
Rnd 1 1tr 2ch 1tr in 4th ch (skip 2ch 1tr 2ch 1tr in next ch) 3 times (4 v- spaces)
Rnd 2 3ch 6tr into next v-space 1dc into space between v-spaces Continue with 6tr into eachv-space and 1dc in between spaces until end ss into last ch Fasten off
Roll the work with fingers from start to finish to create a small rose flower and sew together at thebase
Assembling the brooch
Turn the flower so the right side is facing up and sew the button in the centre of the flowerAttach the rose to the centre of the button as shown in diagram Sew a brooch pin to the back of theflower to complete the brooch
Arrange the 5 leaves to form a circle so thecorners of the leaves are touching Sew eachcorner together to form the petals of aflower
Turn the work so the wrong side is facing upand close the hole by sewing together withthe same DK yarn used to make the leaves
Crochet Flower Brooch
ch - chain stitchdc - double crochethtr - half treble crochetss - slip stitchtr - treble crochetst - stitch
Crochet Mobile PhoneiPod Cosy
Materials
50g Dk yarn in mustard colourSmall quantity of DK yarn in bright pink for picot edgingof cosy and small roseSmall quantity of DK yarn in sage green for leaves of roseflowerSize 300mm hook
Instructions for the cosy
The cosy can be made to fit a mobile phoneiPod of your choice
Pattern note the pattern is worked in dc throughout and worked in the round using the tapestrycrochet method of crochet This involves carrying a second yarn below the first making it verystrong
Foundation row
Using one strand of DK yarn in mustard make a chain that measures the width of your mobilephoneipod
Rnd 1 dc across row until the last chain 2dc in last chain Turn work
Rnd 2 Begin to carry a second strand of mustard yarn throughouteach round and every round from now on This yarn is not worked butcarried below the first strand of yarn
Work along the opposite side of the row just worked 1dc in first ch1ch in each chain until the last chain 2dc in last chain Now mark thelast stitch just worked with a different colour yarn so you can see theend of the round and keep moving this marker up to the last stitchworked
Rnd 3 Dc in each chain around working in spirals moving the stitchmarker as the piece grows Continue until the work measures thedesired length to fit the mobileiPod Fasten off and tie in loose ends
ch - chain stitchdc - double crochethtr - half treble crochetss - slip stitchtr - treble crochetst - stitch
Instructions for rose flower
Rnd 1 Using DK yarn in bright pink 1tr 2ch 1tr in 4th ch (skip 2ch1tr 2ch 1tr in next ch) 3 times (4 v- spaces)
Rnd 2 3ch 6tr into next v-space 1dc into space between v-spacesContinue with 6tr into each v-space and 1dc in between spaces untilend ss into last ch Fasten off
Roll the work with fingers from start to finish to create a small rose flower and sew together at thebase
Instructions for leaves
Using DK yarn and 300mm hook make 2 leaves as follows
Rnd 1 5ch dc in 2nd ch 1htr in next ch 1tr in each of next 2ch 3ch ss in base of last tr workedNow work on opposite side of stitches by turning the work
Rnd 2 3ch 1tr in each of next 2 ch 1htr in next ch dc ss in top of first st Fasten off and sew inloose ends
Assembly
Sew the leaves to the reverse of the rose and attach to the cosy as shown in the picture
Picot edging
Rnd 1 Using DK yarn in bright pink dc into each stitch around the edge of the cosy opening ss tofirst dc
Rnd 2 3ch ss into 2nd chain from hook ss into base of 3ch dc into next 2ch 3ch continuefrom to ss into last ch Fasten off and sew in loose ends
Written by Andrea Lesley Crochethttpwwwfolksycomshopsandrealesleycrochet
Materials
T - shirt - colour your choiceScissorsChainSewing needle and threadCorsage or embellishments
Step 1 First get a plain whitet-shirt
Step 2 Then cut off the neck Step 3 Now sew two pieces of chain to each side of where theneckline should be
Step 4 Cut a triangle out ofthe bottom of the t-shirt
Step 5 Tie the two ends thatare left into a knot or bow
Step 6 Finally add a corsageor flower to the front
Step 7 Now you have a bang on trend crop top simply wear over a vest top I loved designing andgokking up this t-shirt it took minutes and didnt cost a lot either
Corsage made by Madam SalamihttpwwwetsycomshopMadamSalami
Written By Heidi Jackson
Favourite finds from around the crafting communityThis months focus is Easter and Spring
Click on the images to take you to their store
Online StreetMISI
Ring With A FlowerBlue Fish Handmade
pound800
Spring necklace in glassand sterling silver
RosieJo Jewellerypound1275
Easter Eggs CardNaomi Constable
pound250
FOLKSY
Easter rabbit cushionwith choccie eggs
Phoebelinas Treasurespound500
Easter Knitted BagsFluerette
pound300
Small Gorgeous FeltSpring Bouquets
Spare Minute Productionspound2000
WOW THANK YOU
Green And Brown PetalFlower Bracelet
Sprinkles Sparklespound3750 inc pampp
Handmade Pink Canvas Wall Art(Set of 3)
Craft on Canvaspound3900 inc pampp
Blue Easter ChickDharmapaintings
pound12 20 inc pampp
All prices correct at the time of publication
Favourite finds from around the crafting communityThis months focus is Easter and Spring
Click on the images to take you to their store
Best PicksUGLY BE GONE
Handpainted DottyDolly Pegs
Ticketty Boopound650
Quirky Motifs ShopperRachael Taylor
pound1500
Collette the Cow BibBaby Boutique
pound1100
The Cutie Pie - recycledpaper butterfly shadow boxThe WingSpan Collection
pound6421
Easter 1 Square PendantHappy Easter Spring Flowers
Miss Gooseberry Pendantspound321
ETSY
RETROEasterplastic springfling daisy clip-on earringsamber brown makes art
pound208ARTFIRE
Easter Egg Mini Cards 2x2 6Peculiar Parchment
pound170
Spring Chicks - Little FusedGlass Dish - Easter Gift
First Light Glasspound926
4 Chocolate Easter ParadeBunny Lollipops extra large
Candy Cottagepound741
All prices correct at the time of publication
What you will need3 x 10 inch lengths of purple Cylon cord10mm silver plated lobster clasp and clasp tag2 x silver plated fold over necklace endsApprox 24 Rose Quartz gemstone chip beads(holes need to be large enough to thread onelength of the cylon cord though)2 x 4mm silver plated jump rings
Rose Quartz is the stone of unconditionalloveIt purifies and opens the heart helping thewearer to love themselves as well as others
Rose Quartz draws off negative energy andhelps release unexpressed emotions
Encourages self forgiveness and acceptanceaids self trust and self worth
I find it easier to use a macrame board for making this type of bracelet as it make it easier tokeep the design neat but its not essential I use a simple board made from a cork notice boardand pins I also use nylon nosed pliers to fold over the necklace ends as I find metal pliers oftenleave marks but again they arent essential
Step 2 Thread a chip bead onto each of the outer lengths ofcord
Step 3 Cross the outer cordsover the middle one as youwould in a braid Then braid thecords again
Step 1 Attach one of thenecklace ends to one end ofthe three lengths of CyloncordYou can then use the hole inthe end to attach the braceletto your board
Make a Rose Quartz Bracelet
Step 6 Attach the secondnecklace end to the three cordwithout cutting them as it makesit easier The ends can then betrimmed with a craft knife orsharp scissors
Step 7 Using the jump ringsattach the clasp to one end ofthe bracelet and the clasp tagto the other
Step 4 Thread two chip beadson to the new outer lengths ofcord and braid as in the previousstep
Step 5 Repeat step three and four untilthe bracelet reaches seven inchesor your desired length
(The clasp section will measureapproximately one inch)
If the cord ends become frayed they canbe fixed with a little super glue
Step 8 And there you areOne finished rose quartzbracelet
Would you like to share a craft project with Creative Crafting
Let us know what project you would like toshare with us
Anything from jewellery knitting and crochetcrafts paper crafts or a craft you feel hasbeen forgotten about
Email thecrystalladycreative-craftingcom
Written by Elderberry Artshttpwwwelderberryartscouk
To those who are not yet aware Prince William and Kate Middleton will tie the knot this month onFriday 29th April in a quiet little ceremony at Westminster Abbey To some this may mean getting aday off to celebrate the nuptials or actually attend the whole affair To others like myself who areself-employed there will be no day off and hence little difference from a normal day but we can stillbe happy for the two love birds entering a state of marital bliss for the first timeIn these uncertain economic times I am not sure how the Royal Wedding will affect the economyhow much money will people want to spend Will this mean street parties like those that dominatemany peoplersquos memories from Prince Charles and Dianarsquos wedding back in 1981 Will there be arush to purchase ridiculously crass lsquosouvenirrsquo mugs plates tea towels or will the market just not bethere at all with all the unsold Royal Wedding goods in the pound shops by JuneThe handmade and crafting sector needs to be aware of the sales potential created by this Royalevent and so products should be made available to support the celebrations and possibly make thecountry feel good about itself again Maybe a lovely warm spring day in April will be good for thecountry and make it forget its economic woes for a few hoursWe asked a number of our sellers about their experience of the last big Royal Wedding (Charles andDiana) and what they are going to do this time to celebrate There were mixed feelings ndash manywere too young to remember much about the 1981 event and even though I remember a day offfrom school I cannot remember any street parties or spontaneous Mardi Gras This time around Ithink money will be a big factor and most people will not stray too far from a bit of home baking inred white and blue and also a show of patriotic bunting Union Jacks are quite the lsquoin thingrsquo at themoment for interior design and so a patriotic statement may double as being hip and trendy
Kim Lampard of Zigzag Bunting thinks a great way tocelebrate the Royal Wedding is to make your own buntingShe suggests pulling together a pile of fabrics that you nolonger need but that hold cherished memories for you forexample your daughterrsquos first cute dress a tea-towel youbought on a special holiday an old bedspread made by your
Granny Even if the items are damaged so cannot be passed on to others there is always a littlecorner that can be cut up into a triangle to make a bunting flag Mix a few of these together and ifyou have enough for a colour scheme (such as red white and blue) fine but donrsquot worry the flagsdonrsquot even need to be the same size Sometimes a shabby chic lsquoMix and Matchrsquo approach turns outto be perfect Sew the fabric triangles onto a piece of ribbon or bias tape and you will have awonderful string of bunting to decorate for the special day You and your family will remember notonly the Royal Wedding when you bring out that bunting but have extra glimpses of their past inthe fabrics Definitely a memento to cherish
Gaye Weekes of A amp V Designs now lives in Snowdonia North Wales and onlyan hour away from Anglesey where the Royal couple will begin their marriedlife She has no doubt had that His Highness has been hovering over theirremote valley in his helicopter over recent months Gaye plans to be flying redwhite and green Welsh bunting for the wedding Her bunting is made fromvintage fabric from the 1950s and 1960s - a cotton heavy woven greenand cream floral and a jolly red and white gingham She adds ldquo
rdquo
This article was written by
from
httpwwwwowthankyoucouk
Karine Ait-Mohamed of The Pink Fairy Cake isFrench but now lives in England She says ldquo
rdquo In the spirit of the occasion Karinehas produced a product that combines both England and France into the celebration Shehas produced sets of two Union Jack hearts filled with lavender from Chateau la Gabelle inHaute-Provence
Lisa MacDonald of LisaMollyMacDonaldis quite enthusiastic about the weddingand getting caught up in the glamour of the
occasion ldquo
rdquo
Lou Carswell of Loubie Jewels has some prettyfantastic red white and blue jewellery which wouldbe suitable for a Royal wedding celebration She told
us ldquo
rdquo
So what can we gather from these observations It will be a nice idea to celebrate the RoyalWedding If we apply a little lsquowartimersquo austerity (handmade lends itself to recycling andupcycling) we shouldnrsquot have to spend a fortune We can step back from commercialism andbe involved in a low key but meaningful way that will make the event more memorable for itssimplicity and just a little thrift God Bless William and Kate
Tell us about yourself
My name is Sandra Ritchie I live in Cleethorpes UK with my husbandJason my 10 year old daughter Alisha my 2 year old son Alfred andour dog Dumbledore Primarily I am a housewife but in my sparetime I make jewellery of all kinds from beaded pieces to metal workbut mainly I make custom-made bespoke precious metal jewellery
When did your crafting begin and why
Many years ago I studied Jewellery and Metal Art at college andover time Ive collected the tools I needed but never got round tosetting up a workroom until 2009 when my Husband pointed outthat our Utility Room would be perfect for me to set up as aworkroom to start making jewellery again It seemed ideal Ialready had people interested in me making them some jewelleryand it meant I could stay at home and look after the children as wellas try to establish a name for myself as a Jewellery designermaker
What was the first item you made to sell online
The first item I made to sell whilst not specifically to sell online was asilver octopus necklace commissioned by an acquaintance of mine thathad seen the silver octopus necklace that I made for myself whilst atcollege and wanted one like it She has since purchased the silver andcopper entwined Dragon necklace and a commissioned silver Dragonand is back on my list for another piece to be made My number onefan I think
What is your biggest crafting achievement and why
I love all the pieces Ive created especially my Custom work but myfavourite piece of all is the Greenman necklace I was approached tomake something as a surprise for someone and was basically giventhe opportunity to produce something different to my usual pieces Ilove making pieces that are based on peoples ideas of what theywant that is really special but the Greenman necklace was mydesign based on what the customer wanted it to represent I had toteach myself etching for the piece as its something Id never learntand Im really pleased with how it worked out
Other than crafting what else do you like to do
I love spending time with my children and family I love baking andcooking too and I suppose I should admit to enjoying the oddrelaxing glass (or bottle) of nice wine when the children are in bed
wwwlittlefairycultcouk
Where would you like to be in 5 years
In 5 years time Id love to be in a better financial position so I canbuy silver and make silver jewellery to sell that isnt just Custom-made Ive started sneaking a few pieces of precious metal jewellerythat are for general sale onto my site
Where does your inspiration come from
My inspiration is usually from the customers themselves They tell mewhat it is they want and I design a piece to reflect that Sometimes theyalter the design slightly to reflect more of how they want it and that isfine For my bead jewellery its usually what beads I have in myworkroom that inspire my beaded pieces I very rarely buy beads for thereason that I have a design idea and usually just buy mixed lots of beadsand work with what I have
What are your favourite materials and why
I really love working with precious metals There is somethinguniquely satisfying about taking a flat sheet of metal and turning itinto a beautiful piece of jewellery Thats why I take pictures of thepieces as I am making them so that other people and the customerwhos item it is can enjoy seeing it progress from a blank piece ofprecious metal into the finished piece
What is favourite shop online that isnrsquot yours and why
Oh my There are so many amazing websites offering beautiful andunique handmade items but I will always take a look at Etsy to see ifthere is anything that catches my eye on there They have such a largevariety of designerssellers making almost everything but the kitchen sink(though I bet if you looked hard enough youd find one on there) Ireally enjoy the little treasuries they do too where you can browse aselection of items that are grouped together by themes
Has any person helped or supported you more than any other
I have had a lot of support from the good friends I have gained on Twitter and of coursemy real life friends have been extremely supportive too but the main reason I actuallysorted out my workroom (or corner of the utility room) was due to my husband insistingthat I start making jewellery again Luckily his insistence and support paid off virtuallystraight away when a friend asked for the octopus necklace I mentioned earlier to bemade
Tell us a random fact about yourself
I have known the sex of each child and whether Id be carrying one or more before I evenconceived them Fairly random but fact nevertheless
Kit includes seed beads 5 x handmade glass beads choker wire x 3 banglewire x 2 ring wire x 3 jewellery pliers beading mat instructions
Makes 8 fabulous and individual pieces of jewellery without the need forfiddly findings books or other money-wasters
Beaded Jewellery Kitpound12Japan Crafts
A coordinating selection of beads plus step-by-step full colour instructions to make your own version of the Jungle Collar design Learn how to work peyote stitch edge it with drops and embellish it with a lush fringe and beaded flowers and leaves Let your beading imagination run wild
Each kit is hand-picked and slightly different so the beads you receive may not be the exact onesshown in the photograph but you can be certain that your necklace will be uniqueThe kit comes carefully packaged in a handy reusable storage box the only things yoursquoll need inaddition are a beading needle a spool of nylon beading thread and some sharp scissors
Beadweaving Kit for Jungle Collar
pound38Lynn Davy
Fairy Earrings Jewellery Making Kit - Ages 7yrs+
pound5Jewellery Making Kits
These single kits are fabulous for all crafty and creative girls They also make great presents for school friends nieces sisters or even grown ups Each kit includes Sterling Silver earwires or studs a small selection of flowers for the skirt a pair of wings a few coloured glass pearls for the heads silver headpin Organza Bag Full set of instructionsSuitable for ages 7 years and up Requires a pair of pliers to finish off - all instructions included
Bracelet Kit - Chunky Swarovski Pearl and Crystal with Toggle Clasp
pound750Wonderstuff Craft Kits
A little kit of bronze Swarovski pearls and Golden Shadow Swarovski crystals silk and toggle clasp
Kit includes 11 x Swarovski 12mm Pearls Colour - Soft Bronze 3 x Swarovski Crystal 8mm Rondelles - Colour - Golden Shadow 8 x Swarovski Crystal 4mmBicones Colour - Light Colorado Topaz 1 x Silver Plated Toggle Bar 1 x Silver plated Toggle RingBracelet length of threading silk Instructions
This kit contains top quality beads to make an exquisite braceletno special tools are needed
Jewellery making kits
from the small crafterWersquove found a selection of wonderful beading kits for allages and experience These are not massed producedsets but offered by the small crafter
This article was created by The Crystal Lady httpwwwmysticearthcouk
This Months
This months lsquoMan of the Monthrsquo is Ade (Adrian)EdmondsonChosen by MegampMillie
This months lsquoLady of the Monthrsquo is GwenStefaniChosen by Claire Pearcy from Elderberry Arts
httpwwwgwenstefanicom
httpwwwunrealitytvcouklets-dance-for-comic-relieflets-dance-for-comic-relief-results-ade-edmondson-and-eighties-super-group-make-next-weeks-final
(Nothing like an April Fools)
This months lsquoBlog of the Month Awardrsquo goes to lsquoItrsquos All Fiddle Fartrsquo
httpitsallfiddlefartblogspotcom
This months lsquoShop of the Month Awardrsquo goes to lsquoJulias DriftwoodFurniturersquo
httpwwwfolksycomshopsseasandview123
ww
wc
reativ
e-cr
afting
co
mw
ww
cr
eative-c
on
nec
tion
snin
gc
om
CREATIVE CRAFTING
Our next issue will be available to read on
1st June 2010If you have missed any of our issues you
can find them to read on our websitewwwcreative-craftingcom
And also on our Social Network Creative Connectionswwwcreative-connectionsningcom
To advertise in Creative Crafting or to submit an article please contact Annaat thecrystalladycreative-craftingcom
AUGUSTSUMMER 2010
Issue 5
By Crafters for Crafters
Check out our
CraftersDirectory
CREATIVE CRAFTING
By Crafters for Crafters
Issue 3
ValentinesMothers Day 2010
HandcraftedWeddingSpecial
Valentine ampMothers Day
Projects
Have youbeen
featured
By Crafters for Crafters
Issue 3ValentinesMothers Day 2010
Handcrafted
Wedding
SpecialValentine amp
Mothers Day
ProjectsHave you
been
featured
By
EASTER 2010
Issue 4
FATHERS DAY 2010
Issue 4
By Crafters for Crafters
Ch
eck out our
Craft
ersDirectory
AUGUSTSUMMER 2
010
Issu
e 5
By Craf
ters fo
r Craf
ters
Chec
k out our
Crafters
Directory
CREATIVE
C
RAFTINGAU
TUM
N H
ALLO
WEE
N 201
0Is
sue
7
CREA
TIVE
CRAF
TIN
G
By Craf
ters f
or C
rafter
s
Chec
k
out our
Craft
ersDirect
ory
An
niv
ersa
ry
Issu
e
Donrsquot forget
All of our links andadverts are fullyclickable
If you would like to embed our magazine into your website blog myspace page etc you can
customise the code to suit your style and size
AUTUMN HALLOWEEN 2010
Issue 7CREATIVE CRAFTING
By Crafters for Crafters
Check out our
CraftersDirectory
Anniversary
Issue
CHRISTMAS 2010
Issue 8
By Crafters for Crafters
FATHERS DAY 2010
Issue 4
By Crafters for Crafters
Check out our
Crafters
Directory
EASTER 2010
Issue 4
By Crafters for Crafters
By Crafters for Crafters
VALENTINES 2011Issue 9
CREATIVE CRAFTING
Make this simple striking necklace using beadedheadpins and chain to add a bold statement
to your favourite outfit
MaterialsI used Beads Unlimited products in the following quantities tocomplete the jewellery set -
100g x high quality glass mix pink tones (GLXH22)1 x 40 mm silver foil flat round lime green (GLCN4028)50 cm x heavy chain ( sold per meter) silver plated (CHHSP)2 x (1 pack of 10) 8 mm jump ring silver plated (JR8SP)1 x pack of 100 headpins silver plated (HPSP)2 x (1 pack of 6) long ballwires silver plated (LBWSP)1 x (1 pack of 12) eyepins silver plated (EPSP)1 x trigger clasp silver plated (TRGSP)You will also need a pair of multi pliers (CRMT)
Step 1 Thread thelime green beads ontoan eyepinWith the round nosedpart of the pliers bendthe eyepin into a loopdonrsquot close it yet
Step 2 Measure andCut 28 cm and 12 cmof chainAttach one length toeach eye on the beadedeyepin and close theloop
Step 3 Thread a beadof your choice from thepink mix onto a headpinTrim the headpin 1 cmabove the beadsAttach to the chain linknext to the lime greenbeads Close the loop
Gemma is inspired by everything around her from colourand form to the materials she uses and by using manytraditional techniques with contemporary ideas she createsjewellery with her individual style
Make your ownStriking Necklace and Earrings
Step 4 Continue to addbeads from the pink mixin the way to create atapered look on each sideThe shorter length of chainshould be beaded along 5 cmand the longer length 14 cm
Step 5 Attach and 8 mmjump ring to one and of thenecklace ends and a jumpring with a trigger clasp tothe other
Finished necklace
To make the earringsCut a 5 cm length of chain Attach a long ballwire to one end and bead inthe same way as the necklace Make sure you attach a bead to the endlineRepeat to make a pair
Designed by Gemma fromwwwbeadsunlimitedcouk
This necklace and earring set could be yoursVisit wwwcreative-craftingcomgiveawayto enter
Competition end date is -31st May 2011
Beautiful Jewellery to helpyou through life
wwwmysticearthcouk
These pieces of unique jewellery makethe perfect gift for a loved one or a much
needed treat for yourself
MYSTIC EARTH
Have you ever thought ofhaving a piece of
Gemstone and CrystalHealing Jewellery Created
lsquojust for yoursquoEach stone matched to your needs
The Crystal Lady at Mystic Earthcan offer you this service
Quality KnittedItems
httpwwwpeggyscollectionwebscom
PeggyrsquosCollection
Made with love and care
Mother Nature has provided us withwonderful Healing Gemstones and Minerals
PeridotFor this Issue discover the beauty of
(MgFe)2(SiO4)+AlCaMnNiCoCrTi
If you would likemore information about
Crystal Healing Jewelleryyou can contact
The Crystal Lady atthecrystalladymysticearthcouk
httpwwwmysticearthcoukor visit
In the Middle Ages Peridot was employed for warding off evil spiritsand to bestow wisdom and friendship
Mentally -Dissolves oppressive feelings that arise from self-blameAllows us to forgive ourselves
Physically - Peridot has a strong detoxifying effect and stimulates the liverEnhances the liver and gallbladder helps with skin problems even warts
Chakra - Heart Solar Plexus
Peridot Mini Hair Comb
pound14
Lime Crush
pound35Victorian Sterling Silver
Peridot Ring
$38
Chocolate Pearl and PeridotNecklace
$78Jasper Peridot Rhyolite
and Pearl Necklace
pound45
Peridot Chip Bracelet
pound7
As a woman in the UK today if you attend a wedding or the races andparticularly if you are lucky enough to go to Ladies Day at Royal Ascotthen it is usually expected that you should wear a hat or nowadaysa fascinator
If you want to get ahead get a hat
People have always worn hats in someform whether as a protective head covering oras a mark of status within society hats have alwayshad their place In the 15th century it was expectedthat women keep their hair covered wearing veilsand wimples and refashioned male hats were alsopopular
But it was not until the 17th century that womenrsquosheadwear began to take the familiar shape that it does today Bonnetsbecame increasingly popular and at times could be extremely elaboratetrimmed with ribbons lace and feathers
The term lsquomillinerrsquo meaning a maker of womenrsquos hats refers to products derived from Milan andNorthern Italy such as the straws and ribbons used in the making of hats
The haberdashers who imported of these products were known as lsquoMillanersrsquo from which we getthis term The first use of the term in the UK was in the 1700rsquos
Hats were extremely popular at the turn of the 20th century not only forspecial occasions Victorian hats were large brimmed and ornatelydecorated with flowers feathers ribbons and beads The austerity of theSecond World War led to their eventual decline as an everyday pieceof a womanrsquos wardrobe
Nowadays hats and the ever popular fascinator are seeing a resurgencenot in the least thanks to the influences of women such as Sarah JessicaParker Paloma Faith and of course Kate Middleton
Choosing a hat or fascinator needs careful consideration Height faceshape and personality all play a part in shaping your decision A boldfascinator is a statement piece and is certainly not for the shy
Everyone can wear some type of hat or fascinator its just a matter of finding the right one to suityou
There are some amazing British professional milliners working today not least including thelikes of Stephen Jones and Phillip Treacy but you will also find in the UK some wonderful millinersselling their designs on Etsy each producing unique designs to put the perfect finish to any outfitwhatever the occasion
Off With Her Head is run by self taught designer and milliner Lisa Poolewhose designs are fuelled by a love of vintage fashion and moviecostumes
Based in Fife Scotland she prides herself on creating each piece by handand loves to create bespoke pieces for her customers
Off With Her Head focuses on creating vintage inspired pieces andalthough Lisa creates hats and fascinators from various eras in historyshe admits to being a little biased towards the 1950rsquos as its her favouritedecade for fashion
Whatever direction Off With Her Head takes the ethos behind the businessremains the same - quality hats and fascinators at a reasonable price
Off With Her Head ndash Vintage Inspired Millinery
Etsy Store httpwwwetsycomshopmadamequeenyWebsite wwwoffwithherheadcouk
Annalisa Maria Millinery
Annalisa of Annalisa Maria Millinery has always adored hats andbeing the type of person who loves to make things she quitenaturally became interested in millinery
Trained at Kensington and Chelsea college famous for itsmillinery alumni where she learnt all the basics of the trade
She now works out of her London home producing beautifulone of a kind hats and head pieces
Etsy Store wwwetsycomshopdesignsbyannalisa
With so much choice there is absolutely no excuse not to finish your outfit with stunning hatfascinator or headpiecehellip and as they say
Written By Lisa PooleFrom Off With Her Headwwwoffwithherheadcouk
Ella Gajewska is a professional milliner working in London Hats are thelove of her life She has been working as a milliner since 1996 thoughher passion for hats started much earlier in her childhood when Ellacreated hats for her dolls to give them a bit more of an extravagantlook
Having achieved success in Poland where she was a milliners ateliermanager and an inspiring teacher for other young milliners she decidedto take her chances in London the world capital of hats
Since 2001 Ella Gajewska has had the chance of working for renownedateliers and milliners Working in England alongside the best designersof various head wear she has had the chance to develop and perfecther skills even more
Ella Gajewska
Etsy Store wwwetsycomshopEllaGajewskaWebsite wwwellagajewskacom
Little Miss B Design
Little Miss B started out making hats and accessories for herselfand friends uninspired by what was available on the high streetShe decided that shersquod like to give a wider audience the chanceto own a unique Little Miss B creation so began her foray intofashion and millinery
Her inspirations comes from days gone by when style andglamour were more apparent and the quality of craftsmanshipwas high From the 1920s to the 1960s vintage to rockabillyLittle Miss B brings it to the present day with a modern twist
Etsy Store httpwwwetsycomshopLittleMissBDesign
Ive always been artistic in one form or another As a child I always paintedand drew a lot At school I did everything from make a wooden fish pencilholder perspex badges pottery and childrens toys I was very into pencildrawings and shading but I loved using watercolour and other textures formy more cartoonManga style art
I was never very good at what back then was deemed the Girlie stuff I wasmore into woodwork and moulding and graphics This is probably what mademe choose my Bachelor of Science Degree in Architectural Technology Formy degree we used a lot of CAD (Computer Aided Design) to design buildings and building materialsWe also had to craft models of some of our own designs with foam board and other materials I wasin my element with this part of the curriculum
The great thing about craftdesignmaking things - whatever you want to call it is that there is a freedom in Art that you do not get anywhere else There is no right and wrong and no rules The rules come later At the point of concept it is just you and your imagination Which is very liberating and also quite scary because we are conditioned to think within the constraints of rules Art has no rules
Dianes Celebrity ChatsOur lovely Di from Peggyrsquos Knits chats to another celebrity about crafting
Tanya has worked on a number of shows the most recent being the character Adele Alfrey in ITVrsquos Emmerdale She has also worked on other familiar shows with awardwinning producers directors and writers She starred in the BBCcomedy Kerching Her first professional role was in Holby CityShe is also an accomplished presenter and budding playwrightTanya is a former student of the National Youth TheatreTanya told me how she has been artistic about how she sees artand her views on crafting
Please all take a look at Tanyarsquos website which ishttpwwwtanyavitalcom
What you will needFleece material - To determine the size needed- measure the circumference of your head(around your ears) and add 12 inch for seamallowance This will be the width and the lengthmeasurement is 20 inchesCotton thread in the same or contrasting colour
Average Head Sizes -
Newborn (6 months and younger)Circumference 14 to 17 inchesCrown 8 to 10 inches
Infant (6 to 12 months)Circumference 16 to 19 inchesCrown 11 to 12 inches
Child (12 months to 3 years)Circumference 18 to 20 inchesCrown 11 to 12 inches
Step 1 Lay out your fleece on a flat surface anddraw out a rectangle using the measurements forthe hat size required This should be 20 inches longand the width will be the circumference measurementof the size hat your making plus 12 inch seamallowance So to make a hat for a child with a headcircumference of 15 inches the width should be15 12 inches
Claire from Elderberry Arts shows us how to make achildrens hat from fleece material
Why not experiment this Easter holiday
Below are easy to follow instructions and a sizing guide
Thin length of fleece approx 12 inches by12 inchRuler or tape measureTailors chalk or penScissorsPinsSewing needles or sewing machine
Elderberrry Arts
Step 4 Place the right sides of the fleecetogether and pin along the length of thematerial Sew along this edge either by handor machine Knot ends and sewing inside thehem You can trim this hem to make it even andneater if needed
Step 5 Turn the hat right side out andarrange it so the seam is in the middleback From the bottom of your hatmeasure the crown length and place thefleece strip under the hat at this point
Step 6 Tie the ends of thestrip together and pull tightto gather hat
Step 7 Now cut the topsection of the hat into stripsapproximately 12 inch wide
Once youve cut all the wayround the strips can be trimmedto shorten them if required
You could also thread plastic ponybeads on some or all of the stripsknotting the bottom to secure them
Step 2 Cut out the rectangleof fleece Then cut a strip 12inches by 12 inch of fleecefrom the leftover material
Step 3 Pin a hem approx12 inch wide across theshorter length of fleece
Sew either by hand or machineKnot ends and sewing insidethe hem
Written by Elderberry Artshttpwwwelderberryartscouk
Rug Making Ragtag RugsWith
Looking for something fabulous to make using all your old T-shirts sweat shirts and other disusedgarments If so this could be the project for you
The craft of making rag rugs is very traditional and dates backto the mid eighteen hundreds itrsquos still very relevant today whatwith the importance of recycling the other great thing aboutit is that the design on the rug can pretty much be whateveryou want it to be - an image of your pet or your house anabstract or geometric design or something floral traditionalhellip itrsquos totally up to you and your imagination
The technique Irsquoll be using for this project is a method calledlsquohookingrsquo which is very simple and produces a soft and hardwearing pile Irsquove tried to keep everything simple and equipment to a minimum so that everyone canhave a go My favourite fabrics to use are the afore mentioned T-shirts and sweat shirts as they frayvery little but most textiles of a medium thickness can be used
MaterialsVirtually any material can be used in a rag rug some materials are easier to work with than othersThe best materials to use for hooking include T-shirts sweat shirts lightweight cottonssynthetics amplightweight woolsynthetic jumpers Fabrics such as heavy weight denim are not suitableFor this project Irsquove used plain fabrics but patterned fabrics can also be used
HookingStep 1 Working with the Hessian design side up poke the hook through the Hessian and grab thestrip of fabric underneath with the hook
Step 2 Pull the end of the strip of fabric up through the Hessian so that you leave a tail of at least1 cm sticking up
Step 3 Move the hook along about half a centimeter poke it back down through the Hessian andpull a loop of fabric up through to the top of the Hessian a loop height of about 1 cm is best thenjust repeat this technique filling in the required area when you reach the end of a fabric strip pullthe end up through the Hessian and trim it so itrsquos the same height as the loopsMake sure your loops are dense enough and you canrsquot see any of the Hessian backing There is noneed to physically fix the loops in place as they will stay put automatically due to the thickness ofThe fabric and the denseness of the loops
What you will needA piece of Hessian measuring 90 cm x 110 cmSelection of fabrics cut into strips measuring1 - 2 cm wide depending on the thickness ofthe fabric and avoid any seamsRug hookDressmakers pinsScissors
Large-eyed needleBall of woolMarker penYard stick metre ruler2 sheets of thin A4 card or a flattened cereal packetCompassPencil
Ragtag Rugs Rug Making Ragtag RugsWith
Step 1 Using the compass and pencildraw two circles measuring 185 cmacross on the sheets of card and cut theseout using the scissors
Step 2 Using the marker pen and metre rule draw a rectangle on the piece of Hessian measuring63 cm x 84 cm leaving a boarder of about 12 cm all the way around the rectangle Divide therectangle into four giving you central lines for the width and length of the rug Place the card spotson the Hessian in the appropriate places and draw around them using the marker pen for the halfand quarter spots fold one of the card templates accordingly and then draw around it Draw in yourdesigns within the spots
Step 3 Fold under the raw edges of the Hessian and stitch with arunning stitch using the large-eyed needle and wool this is to preventthe Hessian fraying selvedge edges can be left as they are
Step 4 Hook in the strips of fabrics filling in the spots first and then thebackground You can either use the design shown here or make up yourown spots and colour scheme
Step 5 When completed lay the rug face down on the floor and turn in a hem of about 6 cms tothe back of the rug and pin it all the way around fold and pin the corners as neatly as possibleSew the hem to the back of the rug with a running stitch using the large-eyed needle and woolVoila You have a rug
wwwfolksycomshopsragtagrugs
Written by Ragtag Rugs
SupplierFor an American Style Rug Hook costing about pound750 and also Hessian go to Fred Aldous CraftSupplies wwwfredaldouscouk
NoteSome people prefer to use a rug making frame which helps to keep the rugsquare but as the rug wersquore making here is fairly small and wersquore keepingthings simple Irsquove dispensed with this
The first item I sold online was on my Folksy shop(httpwwwfolksycomshopsLaurabyTheSea) and was a vintage ceramic andbead brooch the buyer was very pleased with it and gave me great feedback
Tell us about yourselfMy name is Laura and I live by the sea in the East of England Pakefield to be precise I live with my wonderful Brother who is a musician so we have a very creative household and in our bright conservatory I make ldquoLaura by The Seardquo jewellery (from necklaces brooches amp bracelets to ear rings and hair slides) using vintage ceramics I break vintage crockery hand sand it to ensure there are no sharp edges and make the shards into beautiful jewellery
When did your crafting begin and whyI began studying ceramics during my BA Hons degree in Fine Art at The University of Portsmouthwhich is where my obsession for vintage crockery began to grow Initially I began by making newplates and tea cups with vintage shards in but soon the beauty of the ceramic shards startedappealing to me which is when I had the idea of making jewellery out of them - and one day I justdid it and havenrsquot stopped since I just love how the cute patterns really stand out against the silverchain
What was the first item you made to sell online
What is your biggest crafting achievement and why
I think my biggest crafting achievement since starting Laura by The SeaJewellery has to be getting interviewed for the national ldquoMAKE Jewelleryrdquomagazine as their new ldquoIt accessoryrdquo designer I totally didnrsquot expect themto contact me via my Folksy store
Other than crafting what else do you like to do
In my spare time I like to paint I write I stronglybelieve it is the simple things in life that count I am a collectorof anything old with a story and pick up anything found on the seashore First morning sunshine trawling antique treasure troves walks on the sand with my pooch Sepia tones and seeing life through a lens makes me happy I do a photographyfashion blog(laurabytheseatumblrcom) and am a very sociable person These are a fewof my favourite things and yes that should include raindrops on roses andbrown paper packages tied up with string
Where would you like to be in 5 years
In 5 years time I would love to be able to do this on a full time basis tomake enough money to live I am aiming to have my jewellery sold in manyUK wide independent stores and hopefully a few abroad However theultimate dream is to have my jewellery featured in Vogue
The first item I sold online was on my Folksy shop(httpwwwfolksycomshopsLaurabyTheSea) and was a vintage ceramic andbead brooch the buyer was very pleased with it and gave me great feedback
Where does your inspiration come from
My inspiration comes from trawling antique and vintage shops photography (one of my current favphotographers is Elizabeth Sarah from America) and I am always inspired by other people When Iget talking with my friends about anything creative the juices start flowing and I get more designideas I am also inspired and work along with music (anything from RampB amp Hip-hop to Reggae andJazz I have an eclectic mix)
What are your favourite materials and why
Vintage ceramics because I adore the vintage floral prints on the crockeryand like the idea of being as eco-friendly as possible and like to only userecycled materials in my jewellery
What is favourite shop online that isnrsquot yours and why
My favourite online shop has to be Loglike a contemporary gift and home ware store with vintageelements The owner makes cute candlesticks from vintage plates and saucers that look amazing onmy coffee table (see httpwwwfolksycomshopsLoglike)
Has any person helped or supported you more than any other
I would have to say my parents and Brother Not just financially when Iwas a poor struggling student but they are supportive with everything Ido in life and I just couldnrsquot do without them My brother is more like abest friend
Tell us a random fact about yourself
I have 23 dresses in my wardrobe and have a vinyl collection of mostly 1980rsquos music (my guiltypleasure)
httpwwwfolksycomshopsLaurabyTheSea
Visit
Lauraat
in the GardenHi Irsquom Tina
Good to have you visit with me again in The GardenI think we will sit in the conservatory this morning the sun is juststreaming in it is so wonderful to feel the warmth after such a coldwinter I have the kettle on and some little iced biscuits butremember we must not over indulge me especially as I have notbeen working in the garden so much just sitting in doors munching
Well Spring is here at last and it does seem to be in a hurrythis year the crab apple is already in bud and also the fruittrees
I had my own little piece of garden and the plants therewere in my charge if I forgot to water them and theydied mother would say you have to be responsible givethem a little care and you will be rewarded with so muchbeauty and as I look around the garden today thebeauty just takes my breath awayI checked out the herbs after the winter and just look atthis monster itrsquos the parsley how great is this
Here is a photo of the willow catkins or lambs tails as mymother used to call them she was a country woman andknew every wild flower by their old country names sheloved all nature and her garden and was my inspirationfrom an early age
wwwtina-in-the-gardenblogspotcom
Also I think that this flower is really confused it is of coursean antirrhinum when I emptied the summer bedding fromthe tubs some were still fine so I planted them in thegarden and as you can see have been well rewarded Alsosome silver foliage plants which I cannot remember thename of and of course have lost thelabel they seem to think that it isalready summer
At the moment you can get into the bog it does not look half as mysterious as it does inthe summer you can even see the streamMy better half and I have one or two projects this summer well I have theideas and he makes them work howlucky am I So watch this space
Oh you have to leave well thank you again for coming be safe until your next visit withme in The Garden
Your green fingered friendTina
The bluebells are coming throughin the wood not long now beforethey flower they have to hurrybefore the trees get their leaves
Creative CraftingAdvertise with
wwwcreative-craftingcomadvertisehtml
A mouse herecould take customers
to your store
We care about yourcraft business
Prices startfrom
only pound2
There are a lot of different crafts to choose fromThis series of articles will discover some of the more unusual and also some
old world crafts that may have been almost forgotten
This article was created by
The Crystal Ladyhttpwwwmysticearthcouk
Sold by Amazon
Knitting with Dog Hairby Anne Montgomery
Contains easy step-by-step instructions for collecting cleaningstoring and spinning your dogs fur The book includes originalknitting patterns for the novice and the pro - from mittens toshawls to lace collars from your cats hair
How to Knit a Dog Hair Sweater
E-How
The brushed undercoat of a dog is called chiengora and can be used for knittingcrocheting or felting just like lambs wool or other yarn Dogs hair has been used forcenturies for weaving blankets and other coverings Dogs hair is much warmer thanwool Here is how to knit a sweater from dog hair
After the tutorial the writer goes on to leave a warning that dog hair is much warmerthan wool and an entire garment made of dog hair will be too hot to wear
I also found a very fascinating article about a lady called Laurie Moy on the Boulder DailyCamera website
Better a sweater from a dog you know and love than from a sheepyoull never meet
Warp and woof-woof Making clothes out of dog hair
Read more Boulder Daily Camera
This was discovered in an American newspaper by Creative Craftings Tinawe just had to tell you about it
I did some Googling about this and apparently there is quite alot about it I found a tutorial on the popular E-How site
Irsquom sure like me yoursquoll find this quite fascinatingIf any of our spinners out there fancy a go atcreating some yarn from their pooches we wouldlove to see some of the results It is also a greatidea for recycling all of that fluff that you areconstantly sweeping up off your sofa or yourcarpet There really is a use for most things afterall
Salt dough is so quick and easy (and therapeutic) to make endlessly adaptable a joy to sharewith the kids and has the advantage of being made from store-cupboard basics (although youcould make these projects in clay or fimo or even plasticine)The drawbacks are that it takes a while to cookpaintvarnish it will dissolve in wet or very dampconditions and will break if you drop it So allow yourself a couple of days to produce a finishedpiece and varnish thoroughly when decorated to protect against any damage
Making a Batch of Salt Dough
1 Mug of Table Salt2 Mugs of Plain FlourApprox 1 Mug of Tepid Water (Add final frac14 slowly)1 Tablespoon of Olive or Vegetable Oil (Optional)
Mix the flour and salt together in a bowlIf you are using oil (which helps to add elasticity but is optional and not necessary) add it to themug of water Add the water (with or without oil) to the salt and flour mixAdd most of the water stirring into the dry ingredients with a wooden spoon Add the last of thewater carefully as you will need more or less depending on humidity and the gradequality of theflourYou need to add enough to bind the ingredients without making it too sticky Empty onto a lightlyfloured surface and knead for at least ten minutes until the dough is smooth and slightly warm
A Few Tips for Modelling Salt DoughRoll out salt dough onto a lightly floured surface with a floured rolling pin or you could use abottle if you havent got a rolling pin Gently flattening salt dough with the heels of your hands willwork too but keep moving the dough to keep it even and turn it over to the fresh smooth sidejust before you begin cutting shapesKeep the thickness of your pieces under an inch much thicker than this and they wont hardenproperly in the middleUse a sharp knife to cut salt dough shapes but a blunt knife (or the back of a knife) is useful whenmarking lines onto the dough A scalpel or craft knife is best for cutting out intricate shapesUse pastry cutters plasticine moulds forks hair grips scrubbing brushes experiment withanything you have lying around the house
Cooking Salt DoughCook your salt dough pieces slowly in a very low oven The cooler and slower the better to preventdistortion in the cooking process These pieces were cooked at 140275 degrees or Gas Mark 1 forapproximately 2 hours but I often leave them all day in the oven at its lowest setting
Heartmade Gifts
Decorating Salt DoughYou can decorate your pieces before or after the cooking process Try adding food colouringherbs and spices tea or coffee to your dough as you knead it Or try painting your uncooked piecewith an egg wash for a lovely golden glowExperiment with various mediums on cooked pieces Gouache and acrylics work well but posterpaint is fine (if a little limited in colour variation) and you could try chalks felt tips or crayonsUse glue to add decorations including glitter sequins fabric bows tiny scraps of paper etcIts nice to leave the dough perfectly natural sometimes and sometimes a combination of naturaldough and painted areas works very wellVarnish thoroughly Any varnish will work I tend to use a spray varnish as a first coat to set thepaints then I add a few coats of a super store own brand wood varnish (If you need yourfinished piece to be especially waterproof try yacht varnish but be aware that it will tend tochange the colours making them yellowish)Use a small brush to get into all the nooks and crannies and allow each coat to dry thoroughlybefore applying the next one The more coats you apply the better protected your final pieceHowever unvarnished salt dough I have made for personal use (or the odd forgotten piece) hassurvived very well even in a slightly damp old house So dont let a lack of varnish deter you fromtrying salt dough But if you are creating a family heirloom four or five coats of a good varnish willensure it lasts for yearsTry these two Easter projects the ldquoEgg-stra Specialrdquo eggs are very quick and simple enough to dowith small children the primrose basket takes a while and is a little fiddly but well worth tryingand very easy to adapt by choosing your own flower or perhaps some other motif
~ Egg-stra Special Eggs ~
1 Form an egg shape from a small ball of dough by rolling in your hands and pressthis gently onto your baking tray(Its easier to build your salt dough pieces directly onto the tray you will use tocook them rather than try and move them while they are still uncooked I havebuilt my eggs onto the kitchen surface because it will be easier for you to see whatIm doing)
2 Roll out a piece of salt dough and use it to cover the bottom end of youregg like a blanket When you are happy with the position gently lift andrun a wet paintbrush between the two pieces to glue them together
3 Cut out an egg cup shape around your egg
4 Use a damp paintbrush to push the egg cup onto the eggand ensure it sticks
(A damp paintbrush also helps soften edges and blend any creases or cracks)
5 Uncurl an old metal paperclip and push into the dough to form a hangingloop You can use a piece of any wire I try and use paperclips or a piece of wire
coat-hanger as I like to recycle An alternative hanging method is to create a smallhole (or two holes for larger pieces) and thread a ribbon or piece of leather shoelacethrough the hole tying it to make a loop)
6 Cut out a small bow shape from a piece of flattened dough
7 Cut two ribbon ends from a rectangle of flattened dough
8 Use a wet paintbrush to layer the ribbon ends onto thetop of your egg
9 Attach the bow in position And add a small piece to the centre ofthe bow to finish
10 Cook
11 Decorate in whatever way takes your fancy hellip have fun
~ Primrose Basket ~
1 Cover a bowl in greaseproof paper and turn upside down onto your baking tray
2 Roll out some dough to approx 5mm thickness and cut into thin stripslong enough to cover your bowl
3 Lay four of these strips across the bottom ofyour bowl
4 Begin weaving four in the opposite direction by gently liftingalternate strips out of the way laying the cross strip and replacingthe lifted strips
5 Then add one strip to each side until you reach the edge of the bowl
6 Trim the edge with a knife or fold the stripsback to form a rough bowl lip You can indentsomething on the dough to secure anddecorate
7 Cook
8 Carefully remove the bowl and paper
9 Make primrose flowers and leaves and glue them to the rim with a wetpaintbrush replacing your bowl in the oven for a short whileLeaves ndash cut rough leaf shapes out of a piece of flatted dough and mark theveins and indent the edges with the back of a knifeFlowers ndash use a small heart cutter to cut 5 heart shapes and place on the rim with pointstogether indenting the centre with your fingertip and then marking with the end of a paintbrushPaint with whichever medium you prefer or have to hand I have used acrylics here leaving thebasket natural and painting the primrose leaves green and the flowers yellow adding someorange to the centres of the flowers while the yellow is still damp for a blurred effect
This article was written by Diannefrom Heartmade Gifts
Join Heartmade Gifts on Facebook
wwwheartmadegiftswordpresscom
Lilac Lace Heart LocketJewellery by Bina
Vintage Victorian StyledSweetheart Locket
Miss Bohemia
pound17
pound15
Emerald Bewitched
youmin
$40
The Bright Forest Locket
marisolspoon
$35
Cameral Locket
mydogandi
$2750
Creative CraftingFavourite
This article was created by
The Crystal Ladyhttpwwwmysticearthcouk
Lockets may sound very old fashioned but if you have a wander through thehandmade sites you will find a wealth of very modern and extremely beautifuldesigns Perfect for you to carry your loved ones with you wherever you go
Bee Joyful LocketThe Whimsical Wren
pound10
SteampunkWatch Mechanism
Locketedmdesigns
$85
Luscious LocketsLuscious Lockets
Who likes Chocolate CakeThis is a great recipe for Easter Mothers day or any other daylets admit it we all love chocolate
Ingredients
7 oz self raising flour8 oz caster sugar1 teaspoon of salt2 tablespoons of cocoa powder4 oz margarine2 eggs beaten with5 tablespoons evaporated milk5 tablespoons water1 teaspoon vanilla essence
1 Sift together flour sugar and salt and cocoa2 Rub in margarine3 Stir in eggs essence and liquids then beat well4 Grease and flour 2 8 inch cake tins divide the mixture between them5 Bake in a moderate over 325-350 F gas mark 3 about 35 minutes6 When cold sandwich together and cover in milk chocolate icing
Milk chocolate Icing
Ingredients
2 and a half oz margarine or butter4 tablespoons cocoa8 oz sieved icing sugar3 tablespoons hot milk1 teaspoon vanilla essence
Melt the margarine or butter and blend incocoa powder then stir in icing sugar milkand vanilla essence Beat until smooth andthick
We hope you all enjoy the recipe we would love to see anypictures of chocolate cakes that you make
Instructions
Instructions
Written and reviewed by Peggyrsquos Knitshttppeggyscollectionwebscom
By Sprinkles Sparkleshttpwwwsprinklessparklescouk
All prices are correct at the time of publication
Budget amp LuxurySpring special
Woodland DaffodilsCharm Bracelet
Coco Angel Rosepound1600
Spring Flower Hair ClipFlutter2me
pound450
Spring flowers broochDi Does Craft
pound800
Pink Spring Clutchfunky diva designs
pound1750
Cupcake BuntingCotton Cottage
pound1650
Purple TulipsWildrose Ridge
pound350
Chickadees and LilacsStained Glass WindowStained Glass Addie
pound4940
The Charlotte - SageRosalind Jamespound14500
Springtime 16 Crayon RollApple n Amos
pound509
Buttercup earrings in softyellow with peridot and brass
Goblins Marketpound401
Springtime DalaFolk Horse HangingDecoration - YellowCourt and Spark
pound400
D A P H N E - BrokenChina Plate Pendant
and Sterling Silver NecklaceDesigns by Mila
pound2228
To make the leaves
Using DK yarn and 300 mm hook make 5 leaves as follows
Rnd 1 9ch dc in 2nd ch 1htr in next ch 1tr in each of next 6ch 3ch ss in base of last tr worked
Now work on opposite side of stitches by turning the work
Rnd 2 3ch 1tr in each of next 6ch 1htr in next ch dc ss in top of first stFasten off and sew in loose ends
Materials
Small quantity of DK yarn I have used a yarn with awool-mix but any DK yarn of your choice will be suitableSmall quantity of kid mohair yarn (use two strands together)300 mm hook200 mm hookOne large buttonBrooch pinSewing needle
To make the small rose
Using a 200 mm hook and working two strands of kid mohair yarn together 13ch
Rnd 1 1tr 2ch 1tr in 4th ch (skip 2ch 1tr 2ch 1tr in next ch) 3 times (4 v- spaces)
Rnd 2 3ch 6tr into next v-space 1dc into space between v-spaces Continue with 6tr into eachv-space and 1dc in between spaces until end ss into last ch Fasten off
Roll the work with fingers from start to finish to create a small rose flower and sew together at thebase
Assembling the brooch
Turn the flower so the right side is facing up and sew the button in the centre of the flowerAttach the rose to the centre of the button as shown in diagram Sew a brooch pin to the back of theflower to complete the brooch
Arrange the 5 leaves to form a circle so thecorners of the leaves are touching Sew eachcorner together to form the petals of aflower
Turn the work so the wrong side is facing upand close the hole by sewing together withthe same DK yarn used to make the leaves
Crochet Flower Brooch
ch - chain stitchdc - double crochethtr - half treble crochetss - slip stitchtr - treble crochetst - stitch
Crochet Mobile PhoneiPod Cosy
Materials
50g Dk yarn in mustard colourSmall quantity of DK yarn in bright pink for picot edgingof cosy and small roseSmall quantity of DK yarn in sage green for leaves of roseflowerSize 300mm hook
Instructions for the cosy
The cosy can be made to fit a mobile phoneiPod of your choice
Pattern note the pattern is worked in dc throughout and worked in the round using the tapestrycrochet method of crochet This involves carrying a second yarn below the first making it verystrong
Foundation row
Using one strand of DK yarn in mustard make a chain that measures the width of your mobilephoneipod
Rnd 1 dc across row until the last chain 2dc in last chain Turn work
Rnd 2 Begin to carry a second strand of mustard yarn throughouteach round and every round from now on This yarn is not worked butcarried below the first strand of yarn
Work along the opposite side of the row just worked 1dc in first ch1ch in each chain until the last chain 2dc in last chain Now mark thelast stitch just worked with a different colour yarn so you can see theend of the round and keep moving this marker up to the last stitchworked
Rnd 3 Dc in each chain around working in spirals moving the stitchmarker as the piece grows Continue until the work measures thedesired length to fit the mobileiPod Fasten off and tie in loose ends
ch - chain stitchdc - double crochethtr - half treble crochetss - slip stitchtr - treble crochetst - stitch
Instructions for rose flower
Rnd 1 Using DK yarn in bright pink 1tr 2ch 1tr in 4th ch (skip 2ch1tr 2ch 1tr in next ch) 3 times (4 v- spaces)
Rnd 2 3ch 6tr into next v-space 1dc into space between v-spacesContinue with 6tr into each v-space and 1dc in between spaces untilend ss into last ch Fasten off
Roll the work with fingers from start to finish to create a small rose flower and sew together at thebase
Instructions for leaves
Using DK yarn and 300mm hook make 2 leaves as follows
Rnd 1 5ch dc in 2nd ch 1htr in next ch 1tr in each of next 2ch 3ch ss in base of last tr workedNow work on opposite side of stitches by turning the work
Rnd 2 3ch 1tr in each of next 2 ch 1htr in next ch dc ss in top of first st Fasten off and sew inloose ends
Assembly
Sew the leaves to the reverse of the rose and attach to the cosy as shown in the picture
Picot edging
Rnd 1 Using DK yarn in bright pink dc into each stitch around the edge of the cosy opening ss tofirst dc
Rnd 2 3ch ss into 2nd chain from hook ss into base of 3ch dc into next 2ch 3ch continuefrom to ss into last ch Fasten off and sew in loose ends
Written by Andrea Lesley Crochethttpwwwfolksycomshopsandrealesleycrochet
Materials
T - shirt - colour your choiceScissorsChainSewing needle and threadCorsage or embellishments
Step 1 First get a plain whitet-shirt
Step 2 Then cut off the neck Step 3 Now sew two pieces of chain to each side of where theneckline should be
Step 4 Cut a triangle out ofthe bottom of the t-shirt
Step 5 Tie the two ends thatare left into a knot or bow
Step 6 Finally add a corsageor flower to the front
Step 7 Now you have a bang on trend crop top simply wear over a vest top I loved designing andgokking up this t-shirt it took minutes and didnt cost a lot either
Corsage made by Madam SalamihttpwwwetsycomshopMadamSalami
Written By Heidi Jackson
Favourite finds from around the crafting communityThis months focus is Easter and Spring
Click on the images to take you to their store
Online StreetMISI
Ring With A FlowerBlue Fish Handmade
pound800
Spring necklace in glassand sterling silver
RosieJo Jewellerypound1275
Easter Eggs CardNaomi Constable
pound250
FOLKSY
Easter rabbit cushionwith choccie eggs
Phoebelinas Treasurespound500
Easter Knitted BagsFluerette
pound300
Small Gorgeous FeltSpring Bouquets
Spare Minute Productionspound2000
WOW THANK YOU
Green And Brown PetalFlower Bracelet
Sprinkles Sparklespound3750 inc pampp
Handmade Pink Canvas Wall Art(Set of 3)
Craft on Canvaspound3900 inc pampp
Blue Easter ChickDharmapaintings
pound12 20 inc pampp
All prices correct at the time of publication
Favourite finds from around the crafting communityThis months focus is Easter and Spring
Click on the images to take you to their store
Best PicksUGLY BE GONE
Handpainted DottyDolly Pegs
Ticketty Boopound650
Quirky Motifs ShopperRachael Taylor
pound1500
Collette the Cow BibBaby Boutique
pound1100
The Cutie Pie - recycledpaper butterfly shadow boxThe WingSpan Collection
pound6421
Easter 1 Square PendantHappy Easter Spring Flowers
Miss Gooseberry Pendantspound321
ETSY
RETROEasterplastic springfling daisy clip-on earringsamber brown makes art
pound208ARTFIRE
Easter Egg Mini Cards 2x2 6Peculiar Parchment
pound170
Spring Chicks - Little FusedGlass Dish - Easter Gift
First Light Glasspound926
4 Chocolate Easter ParadeBunny Lollipops extra large
Candy Cottagepound741
All prices correct at the time of publication
What you will need3 x 10 inch lengths of purple Cylon cord10mm silver plated lobster clasp and clasp tag2 x silver plated fold over necklace endsApprox 24 Rose Quartz gemstone chip beads(holes need to be large enough to thread onelength of the cylon cord though)2 x 4mm silver plated jump rings
Rose Quartz is the stone of unconditionalloveIt purifies and opens the heart helping thewearer to love themselves as well as others
Rose Quartz draws off negative energy andhelps release unexpressed emotions
Encourages self forgiveness and acceptanceaids self trust and self worth
I find it easier to use a macrame board for making this type of bracelet as it make it easier tokeep the design neat but its not essential I use a simple board made from a cork notice boardand pins I also use nylon nosed pliers to fold over the necklace ends as I find metal pliers oftenleave marks but again they arent essential
Step 2 Thread a chip bead onto each of the outer lengths ofcord
Step 3 Cross the outer cordsover the middle one as youwould in a braid Then braid thecords again
Step 1 Attach one of thenecklace ends to one end ofthe three lengths of CyloncordYou can then use the hole inthe end to attach the braceletto your board
Make a Rose Quartz Bracelet
Step 6 Attach the secondnecklace end to the three cordwithout cutting them as it makesit easier The ends can then betrimmed with a craft knife orsharp scissors
Step 7 Using the jump ringsattach the clasp to one end ofthe bracelet and the clasp tagto the other
Step 4 Thread two chip beadson to the new outer lengths ofcord and braid as in the previousstep
Step 5 Repeat step three and four untilthe bracelet reaches seven inchesor your desired length
(The clasp section will measureapproximately one inch)
If the cord ends become frayed they canbe fixed with a little super glue
Step 8 And there you areOne finished rose quartzbracelet
Would you like to share a craft project with Creative Crafting
Let us know what project you would like toshare with us
Anything from jewellery knitting and crochetcrafts paper crafts or a craft you feel hasbeen forgotten about
Email thecrystalladycreative-craftingcom
Written by Elderberry Artshttpwwwelderberryartscouk
To those who are not yet aware Prince William and Kate Middleton will tie the knot this month onFriday 29th April in a quiet little ceremony at Westminster Abbey To some this may mean getting aday off to celebrate the nuptials or actually attend the whole affair To others like myself who areself-employed there will be no day off and hence little difference from a normal day but we can stillbe happy for the two love birds entering a state of marital bliss for the first timeIn these uncertain economic times I am not sure how the Royal Wedding will affect the economyhow much money will people want to spend Will this mean street parties like those that dominatemany peoplersquos memories from Prince Charles and Dianarsquos wedding back in 1981 Will there be arush to purchase ridiculously crass lsquosouvenirrsquo mugs plates tea towels or will the market just not bethere at all with all the unsold Royal Wedding goods in the pound shops by JuneThe handmade and crafting sector needs to be aware of the sales potential created by this Royalevent and so products should be made available to support the celebrations and possibly make thecountry feel good about itself again Maybe a lovely warm spring day in April will be good for thecountry and make it forget its economic woes for a few hoursWe asked a number of our sellers about their experience of the last big Royal Wedding (Charles andDiana) and what they are going to do this time to celebrate There were mixed feelings ndash manywere too young to remember much about the 1981 event and even though I remember a day offfrom school I cannot remember any street parties or spontaneous Mardi Gras This time around Ithink money will be a big factor and most people will not stray too far from a bit of home baking inred white and blue and also a show of patriotic bunting Union Jacks are quite the lsquoin thingrsquo at themoment for interior design and so a patriotic statement may double as being hip and trendy
Kim Lampard of Zigzag Bunting thinks a great way tocelebrate the Royal Wedding is to make your own buntingShe suggests pulling together a pile of fabrics that you nolonger need but that hold cherished memories for you forexample your daughterrsquos first cute dress a tea-towel youbought on a special holiday an old bedspread made by your
Granny Even if the items are damaged so cannot be passed on to others there is always a littlecorner that can be cut up into a triangle to make a bunting flag Mix a few of these together and ifyou have enough for a colour scheme (such as red white and blue) fine but donrsquot worry the flagsdonrsquot even need to be the same size Sometimes a shabby chic lsquoMix and Matchrsquo approach turns outto be perfect Sew the fabric triangles onto a piece of ribbon or bias tape and you will have awonderful string of bunting to decorate for the special day You and your family will remember notonly the Royal Wedding when you bring out that bunting but have extra glimpses of their past inthe fabrics Definitely a memento to cherish
Gaye Weekes of A amp V Designs now lives in Snowdonia North Wales and onlyan hour away from Anglesey where the Royal couple will begin their marriedlife She has no doubt had that His Highness has been hovering over theirremote valley in his helicopter over recent months Gaye plans to be flying redwhite and green Welsh bunting for the wedding Her bunting is made fromvintage fabric from the 1950s and 1960s - a cotton heavy woven greenand cream floral and a jolly red and white gingham She adds ldquo
rdquo
This article was written by
from
httpwwwwowthankyoucouk
Karine Ait-Mohamed of The Pink Fairy Cake isFrench but now lives in England She says ldquo
rdquo In the spirit of the occasion Karinehas produced a product that combines both England and France into the celebration Shehas produced sets of two Union Jack hearts filled with lavender from Chateau la Gabelle inHaute-Provence
Lisa MacDonald of LisaMollyMacDonaldis quite enthusiastic about the weddingand getting caught up in the glamour of the
occasion ldquo
rdquo
Lou Carswell of Loubie Jewels has some prettyfantastic red white and blue jewellery which wouldbe suitable for a Royal wedding celebration She told
us ldquo
rdquo
So what can we gather from these observations It will be a nice idea to celebrate the RoyalWedding If we apply a little lsquowartimersquo austerity (handmade lends itself to recycling andupcycling) we shouldnrsquot have to spend a fortune We can step back from commercialism andbe involved in a low key but meaningful way that will make the event more memorable for itssimplicity and just a little thrift God Bless William and Kate
Tell us about yourself
My name is Sandra Ritchie I live in Cleethorpes UK with my husbandJason my 10 year old daughter Alisha my 2 year old son Alfred andour dog Dumbledore Primarily I am a housewife but in my sparetime I make jewellery of all kinds from beaded pieces to metal workbut mainly I make custom-made bespoke precious metal jewellery
When did your crafting begin and why
Many years ago I studied Jewellery and Metal Art at college andover time Ive collected the tools I needed but never got round tosetting up a workroom until 2009 when my Husband pointed outthat our Utility Room would be perfect for me to set up as aworkroom to start making jewellery again It seemed ideal Ialready had people interested in me making them some jewelleryand it meant I could stay at home and look after the children as wellas try to establish a name for myself as a Jewellery designermaker
What was the first item you made to sell online
The first item I made to sell whilst not specifically to sell online was asilver octopus necklace commissioned by an acquaintance of mine thathad seen the silver octopus necklace that I made for myself whilst atcollege and wanted one like it She has since purchased the silver andcopper entwined Dragon necklace and a commissioned silver Dragonand is back on my list for another piece to be made My number onefan I think
What is your biggest crafting achievement and why
I love all the pieces Ive created especially my Custom work but myfavourite piece of all is the Greenman necklace I was approached tomake something as a surprise for someone and was basically giventhe opportunity to produce something different to my usual pieces Ilove making pieces that are based on peoples ideas of what theywant that is really special but the Greenman necklace was mydesign based on what the customer wanted it to represent I had toteach myself etching for the piece as its something Id never learntand Im really pleased with how it worked out
Other than crafting what else do you like to do
I love spending time with my children and family I love baking andcooking too and I suppose I should admit to enjoying the oddrelaxing glass (or bottle) of nice wine when the children are in bed
wwwlittlefairycultcouk
Where would you like to be in 5 years
In 5 years time Id love to be in a better financial position so I canbuy silver and make silver jewellery to sell that isnt just Custom-made Ive started sneaking a few pieces of precious metal jewellerythat are for general sale onto my site
Where does your inspiration come from
My inspiration is usually from the customers themselves They tell mewhat it is they want and I design a piece to reflect that Sometimes theyalter the design slightly to reflect more of how they want it and that isfine For my bead jewellery its usually what beads I have in myworkroom that inspire my beaded pieces I very rarely buy beads for thereason that I have a design idea and usually just buy mixed lots of beadsand work with what I have
What are your favourite materials and why
I really love working with precious metals There is somethinguniquely satisfying about taking a flat sheet of metal and turning itinto a beautiful piece of jewellery Thats why I take pictures of thepieces as I am making them so that other people and the customerwhos item it is can enjoy seeing it progress from a blank piece ofprecious metal into the finished piece
What is favourite shop online that isnrsquot yours and why
Oh my There are so many amazing websites offering beautiful andunique handmade items but I will always take a look at Etsy to see ifthere is anything that catches my eye on there They have such a largevariety of designerssellers making almost everything but the kitchen sink(though I bet if you looked hard enough youd find one on there) Ireally enjoy the little treasuries they do too where you can browse aselection of items that are grouped together by themes
Has any person helped or supported you more than any other
I have had a lot of support from the good friends I have gained on Twitter and of coursemy real life friends have been extremely supportive too but the main reason I actuallysorted out my workroom (or corner of the utility room) was due to my husband insistingthat I start making jewellery again Luckily his insistence and support paid off virtuallystraight away when a friend asked for the octopus necklace I mentioned earlier to bemade
Tell us a random fact about yourself
I have known the sex of each child and whether Id be carrying one or more before I evenconceived them Fairly random but fact nevertheless
Kit includes seed beads 5 x handmade glass beads choker wire x 3 banglewire x 2 ring wire x 3 jewellery pliers beading mat instructions
Makes 8 fabulous and individual pieces of jewellery without the need forfiddly findings books or other money-wasters
Beaded Jewellery Kitpound12Japan Crafts
A coordinating selection of beads plus step-by-step full colour instructions to make your own version of the Jungle Collar design Learn how to work peyote stitch edge it with drops and embellish it with a lush fringe and beaded flowers and leaves Let your beading imagination run wild
Each kit is hand-picked and slightly different so the beads you receive may not be the exact onesshown in the photograph but you can be certain that your necklace will be uniqueThe kit comes carefully packaged in a handy reusable storage box the only things yoursquoll need inaddition are a beading needle a spool of nylon beading thread and some sharp scissors
Beadweaving Kit for Jungle Collar
pound38Lynn Davy
Fairy Earrings Jewellery Making Kit - Ages 7yrs+
pound5Jewellery Making Kits
These single kits are fabulous for all crafty and creative girls They also make great presents for school friends nieces sisters or even grown ups Each kit includes Sterling Silver earwires or studs a small selection of flowers for the skirt a pair of wings a few coloured glass pearls for the heads silver headpin Organza Bag Full set of instructionsSuitable for ages 7 years and up Requires a pair of pliers to finish off - all instructions included
Bracelet Kit - Chunky Swarovski Pearl and Crystal with Toggle Clasp
pound750Wonderstuff Craft Kits
A little kit of bronze Swarovski pearls and Golden Shadow Swarovski crystals silk and toggle clasp
Kit includes 11 x Swarovski 12mm Pearls Colour - Soft Bronze 3 x Swarovski Crystal 8mm Rondelles - Colour - Golden Shadow 8 x Swarovski Crystal 4mmBicones Colour - Light Colorado Topaz 1 x Silver Plated Toggle Bar 1 x Silver plated Toggle RingBracelet length of threading silk Instructions
This kit contains top quality beads to make an exquisite braceletno special tools are needed
Jewellery making kits
from the small crafterWersquove found a selection of wonderful beading kits for allages and experience These are not massed producedsets but offered by the small crafter
This article was created by The Crystal Lady httpwwwmysticearthcouk
This Months
This months lsquoMan of the Monthrsquo is Ade (Adrian)EdmondsonChosen by MegampMillie
This months lsquoLady of the Monthrsquo is GwenStefaniChosen by Claire Pearcy from Elderberry Arts
httpwwwgwenstefanicom
httpwwwunrealitytvcouklets-dance-for-comic-relieflets-dance-for-comic-relief-results-ade-edmondson-and-eighties-super-group-make-next-weeks-final
(Nothing like an April Fools)
This months lsquoBlog of the Month Awardrsquo goes to lsquoItrsquos All Fiddle Fartrsquo
httpitsallfiddlefartblogspotcom
This months lsquoShop of the Month Awardrsquo goes to lsquoJulias DriftwoodFurniturersquo
httpwwwfolksycomshopsseasandview123
ww
wc
reativ
e-cr
afting
co
mw
ww
cr
eative-c
on
nec
tion
snin
gc
om
CREATIVE CRAFTING
Our next issue will be available to read on
1st June 2010If you have missed any of our issues you
can find them to read on our websitewwwcreative-craftingcom
And also on our Social Network Creative Connectionswwwcreative-connectionsningcom
To advertise in Creative Crafting or to submit an article please contact Annaat thecrystalladycreative-craftingcom
AUGUSTSUMMER 2010
Issue 5
By Crafters for Crafters
Check out our
CraftersDirectory
CREATIVE CRAFTING
By Crafters for Crafters
Issue 3
ValentinesMothers Day 2010
HandcraftedWeddingSpecial
Valentine ampMothers Day
Projects
Have youbeen
featured
By Crafters for Crafters
Issue 3ValentinesMothers Day 2010
Handcrafted
Wedding
SpecialValentine amp
Mothers Day
ProjectsHave you
been
featured
By
EASTER 2010
Issue 4
FATHERS DAY 2010
Issue 4
By Crafters for Crafters
Ch
eck out our
Craft
ersDirectory
AUGUSTSUMMER 2
010
Issu
e 5
By Craf
ters fo
r Craf
ters
Chec
k out our
Crafters
Directory
CREATIVE
C
RAFTINGAU
TUM
N H
ALLO
WEE
N 201
0Is
sue
7
CREA
TIVE
CRAF
TIN
G
By Craf
ters f
or C
rafter
s
Chec
k
out our
Craft
ersDirect
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An
niv
ersa
ry
Issu
e
Donrsquot forget
All of our links andadverts are fullyclickable
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AUTUMN HALLOWEEN 2010
Issue 7CREATIVE CRAFTING
By Crafters for Crafters
Check out our
CraftersDirectory
Anniversary
Issue
CHRISTMAS 2010
Issue 8
By Crafters for Crafters
FATHERS DAY 2010
Issue 4
By Crafters for Crafters
Check out our
Crafters
Directory
EASTER 2010
Issue 4
By Crafters for Crafters
By Crafters for Crafters
VALENTINES 2011Issue 9
CREATIVE CRAFTING
Step 4 Continue to addbeads from the pink mixin the way to create atapered look on each sideThe shorter length of chainshould be beaded along 5 cmand the longer length 14 cm
Step 5 Attach and 8 mmjump ring to one and of thenecklace ends and a jumpring with a trigger clasp tothe other
Finished necklace
To make the earringsCut a 5 cm length of chain Attach a long ballwire to one end and bead inthe same way as the necklace Make sure you attach a bead to the endlineRepeat to make a pair
Designed by Gemma fromwwwbeadsunlimitedcouk
This necklace and earring set could be yoursVisit wwwcreative-craftingcomgiveawayto enter
Competition end date is -31st May 2011
Beautiful Jewellery to helpyou through life
wwwmysticearthcouk
These pieces of unique jewellery makethe perfect gift for a loved one or a much
needed treat for yourself
MYSTIC EARTH
Have you ever thought ofhaving a piece of
Gemstone and CrystalHealing Jewellery Created
lsquojust for yoursquoEach stone matched to your needs
The Crystal Lady at Mystic Earthcan offer you this service
Quality KnittedItems
httpwwwpeggyscollectionwebscom
PeggyrsquosCollection
Made with love and care
Mother Nature has provided us withwonderful Healing Gemstones and Minerals
PeridotFor this Issue discover the beauty of
(MgFe)2(SiO4)+AlCaMnNiCoCrTi
If you would likemore information about
Crystal Healing Jewelleryyou can contact
The Crystal Lady atthecrystalladymysticearthcouk
httpwwwmysticearthcoukor visit
In the Middle Ages Peridot was employed for warding off evil spiritsand to bestow wisdom and friendship
Mentally -Dissolves oppressive feelings that arise from self-blameAllows us to forgive ourselves
Physically - Peridot has a strong detoxifying effect and stimulates the liverEnhances the liver and gallbladder helps with skin problems even warts
Chakra - Heart Solar Plexus
Peridot Mini Hair Comb
pound14
Lime Crush
pound35Victorian Sterling Silver
Peridot Ring
$38
Chocolate Pearl and PeridotNecklace
$78Jasper Peridot Rhyolite
and Pearl Necklace
pound45
Peridot Chip Bracelet
pound7
As a woman in the UK today if you attend a wedding or the races andparticularly if you are lucky enough to go to Ladies Day at Royal Ascotthen it is usually expected that you should wear a hat or nowadaysa fascinator
If you want to get ahead get a hat
People have always worn hats in someform whether as a protective head covering oras a mark of status within society hats have alwayshad their place In the 15th century it was expectedthat women keep their hair covered wearing veilsand wimples and refashioned male hats were alsopopular
But it was not until the 17th century that womenrsquosheadwear began to take the familiar shape that it does today Bonnetsbecame increasingly popular and at times could be extremely elaboratetrimmed with ribbons lace and feathers
The term lsquomillinerrsquo meaning a maker of womenrsquos hats refers to products derived from Milan andNorthern Italy such as the straws and ribbons used in the making of hats
The haberdashers who imported of these products were known as lsquoMillanersrsquo from which we getthis term The first use of the term in the UK was in the 1700rsquos
Hats were extremely popular at the turn of the 20th century not only forspecial occasions Victorian hats were large brimmed and ornatelydecorated with flowers feathers ribbons and beads The austerity of theSecond World War led to their eventual decline as an everyday pieceof a womanrsquos wardrobe
Nowadays hats and the ever popular fascinator are seeing a resurgencenot in the least thanks to the influences of women such as Sarah JessicaParker Paloma Faith and of course Kate Middleton
Choosing a hat or fascinator needs careful consideration Height faceshape and personality all play a part in shaping your decision A boldfascinator is a statement piece and is certainly not for the shy
Everyone can wear some type of hat or fascinator its just a matter of finding the right one to suityou
There are some amazing British professional milliners working today not least including thelikes of Stephen Jones and Phillip Treacy but you will also find in the UK some wonderful millinersselling their designs on Etsy each producing unique designs to put the perfect finish to any outfitwhatever the occasion
Off With Her Head is run by self taught designer and milliner Lisa Poolewhose designs are fuelled by a love of vintage fashion and moviecostumes
Based in Fife Scotland she prides herself on creating each piece by handand loves to create bespoke pieces for her customers
Off With Her Head focuses on creating vintage inspired pieces andalthough Lisa creates hats and fascinators from various eras in historyshe admits to being a little biased towards the 1950rsquos as its her favouritedecade for fashion
Whatever direction Off With Her Head takes the ethos behind the businessremains the same - quality hats and fascinators at a reasonable price
Off With Her Head ndash Vintage Inspired Millinery
Etsy Store httpwwwetsycomshopmadamequeenyWebsite wwwoffwithherheadcouk
Annalisa Maria Millinery
Annalisa of Annalisa Maria Millinery has always adored hats andbeing the type of person who loves to make things she quitenaturally became interested in millinery
Trained at Kensington and Chelsea college famous for itsmillinery alumni where she learnt all the basics of the trade
She now works out of her London home producing beautifulone of a kind hats and head pieces
Etsy Store wwwetsycomshopdesignsbyannalisa
With so much choice there is absolutely no excuse not to finish your outfit with stunning hatfascinator or headpiecehellip and as they say
Written By Lisa PooleFrom Off With Her Headwwwoffwithherheadcouk
Ella Gajewska is a professional milliner working in London Hats are thelove of her life She has been working as a milliner since 1996 thoughher passion for hats started much earlier in her childhood when Ellacreated hats for her dolls to give them a bit more of an extravagantlook
Having achieved success in Poland where she was a milliners ateliermanager and an inspiring teacher for other young milliners she decidedto take her chances in London the world capital of hats
Since 2001 Ella Gajewska has had the chance of working for renownedateliers and milliners Working in England alongside the best designersof various head wear she has had the chance to develop and perfecther skills even more
Ella Gajewska
Etsy Store wwwetsycomshopEllaGajewskaWebsite wwwellagajewskacom
Little Miss B Design
Little Miss B started out making hats and accessories for herselfand friends uninspired by what was available on the high streetShe decided that shersquod like to give a wider audience the chanceto own a unique Little Miss B creation so began her foray intofashion and millinery
Her inspirations comes from days gone by when style andglamour were more apparent and the quality of craftsmanshipwas high From the 1920s to the 1960s vintage to rockabillyLittle Miss B brings it to the present day with a modern twist
Etsy Store httpwwwetsycomshopLittleMissBDesign
Ive always been artistic in one form or another As a child I always paintedand drew a lot At school I did everything from make a wooden fish pencilholder perspex badges pottery and childrens toys I was very into pencildrawings and shading but I loved using watercolour and other textures formy more cartoonManga style art
I was never very good at what back then was deemed the Girlie stuff I wasmore into woodwork and moulding and graphics This is probably what mademe choose my Bachelor of Science Degree in Architectural Technology Formy degree we used a lot of CAD (Computer Aided Design) to design buildings and building materialsWe also had to craft models of some of our own designs with foam board and other materials I wasin my element with this part of the curriculum
The great thing about craftdesignmaking things - whatever you want to call it is that there is a freedom in Art that you do not get anywhere else There is no right and wrong and no rules The rules come later At the point of concept it is just you and your imagination Which is very liberating and also quite scary because we are conditioned to think within the constraints of rules Art has no rules
Dianes Celebrity ChatsOur lovely Di from Peggyrsquos Knits chats to another celebrity about crafting
Tanya has worked on a number of shows the most recent being the character Adele Alfrey in ITVrsquos Emmerdale She has also worked on other familiar shows with awardwinning producers directors and writers She starred in the BBCcomedy Kerching Her first professional role was in Holby CityShe is also an accomplished presenter and budding playwrightTanya is a former student of the National Youth TheatreTanya told me how she has been artistic about how she sees artand her views on crafting
Please all take a look at Tanyarsquos website which ishttpwwwtanyavitalcom
What you will needFleece material - To determine the size needed- measure the circumference of your head(around your ears) and add 12 inch for seamallowance This will be the width and the lengthmeasurement is 20 inchesCotton thread in the same or contrasting colour
Average Head Sizes -
Newborn (6 months and younger)Circumference 14 to 17 inchesCrown 8 to 10 inches
Infant (6 to 12 months)Circumference 16 to 19 inchesCrown 11 to 12 inches
Child (12 months to 3 years)Circumference 18 to 20 inchesCrown 11 to 12 inches
Step 1 Lay out your fleece on a flat surface anddraw out a rectangle using the measurements forthe hat size required This should be 20 inches longand the width will be the circumference measurementof the size hat your making plus 12 inch seamallowance So to make a hat for a child with a headcircumference of 15 inches the width should be15 12 inches
Claire from Elderberry Arts shows us how to make achildrens hat from fleece material
Why not experiment this Easter holiday
Below are easy to follow instructions and a sizing guide
Thin length of fleece approx 12 inches by12 inchRuler or tape measureTailors chalk or penScissorsPinsSewing needles or sewing machine
Elderberrry Arts
Step 4 Place the right sides of the fleecetogether and pin along the length of thematerial Sew along this edge either by handor machine Knot ends and sewing inside thehem You can trim this hem to make it even andneater if needed
Step 5 Turn the hat right side out andarrange it so the seam is in the middleback From the bottom of your hatmeasure the crown length and place thefleece strip under the hat at this point
Step 6 Tie the ends of thestrip together and pull tightto gather hat
Step 7 Now cut the topsection of the hat into stripsapproximately 12 inch wide
Once youve cut all the wayround the strips can be trimmedto shorten them if required
You could also thread plastic ponybeads on some or all of the stripsknotting the bottom to secure them
Step 2 Cut out the rectangleof fleece Then cut a strip 12inches by 12 inch of fleecefrom the leftover material
Step 3 Pin a hem approx12 inch wide across theshorter length of fleece
Sew either by hand or machineKnot ends and sewing insidethe hem
Written by Elderberry Artshttpwwwelderberryartscouk
Rug Making Ragtag RugsWith
Looking for something fabulous to make using all your old T-shirts sweat shirts and other disusedgarments If so this could be the project for you
The craft of making rag rugs is very traditional and dates backto the mid eighteen hundreds itrsquos still very relevant today whatwith the importance of recycling the other great thing aboutit is that the design on the rug can pretty much be whateveryou want it to be - an image of your pet or your house anabstract or geometric design or something floral traditionalhellip itrsquos totally up to you and your imagination
The technique Irsquoll be using for this project is a method calledlsquohookingrsquo which is very simple and produces a soft and hardwearing pile Irsquove tried to keep everything simple and equipment to a minimum so that everyone canhave a go My favourite fabrics to use are the afore mentioned T-shirts and sweat shirts as they frayvery little but most textiles of a medium thickness can be used
MaterialsVirtually any material can be used in a rag rug some materials are easier to work with than othersThe best materials to use for hooking include T-shirts sweat shirts lightweight cottonssynthetics amplightweight woolsynthetic jumpers Fabrics such as heavy weight denim are not suitableFor this project Irsquove used plain fabrics but patterned fabrics can also be used
HookingStep 1 Working with the Hessian design side up poke the hook through the Hessian and grab thestrip of fabric underneath with the hook
Step 2 Pull the end of the strip of fabric up through the Hessian so that you leave a tail of at least1 cm sticking up
Step 3 Move the hook along about half a centimeter poke it back down through the Hessian andpull a loop of fabric up through to the top of the Hessian a loop height of about 1 cm is best thenjust repeat this technique filling in the required area when you reach the end of a fabric strip pullthe end up through the Hessian and trim it so itrsquos the same height as the loopsMake sure your loops are dense enough and you canrsquot see any of the Hessian backing There is noneed to physically fix the loops in place as they will stay put automatically due to the thickness ofThe fabric and the denseness of the loops
What you will needA piece of Hessian measuring 90 cm x 110 cmSelection of fabrics cut into strips measuring1 - 2 cm wide depending on the thickness ofthe fabric and avoid any seamsRug hookDressmakers pinsScissors
Large-eyed needleBall of woolMarker penYard stick metre ruler2 sheets of thin A4 card or a flattened cereal packetCompassPencil
Ragtag Rugs Rug Making Ragtag RugsWith
Step 1 Using the compass and pencildraw two circles measuring 185 cmacross on the sheets of card and cut theseout using the scissors
Step 2 Using the marker pen and metre rule draw a rectangle on the piece of Hessian measuring63 cm x 84 cm leaving a boarder of about 12 cm all the way around the rectangle Divide therectangle into four giving you central lines for the width and length of the rug Place the card spotson the Hessian in the appropriate places and draw around them using the marker pen for the halfand quarter spots fold one of the card templates accordingly and then draw around it Draw in yourdesigns within the spots
Step 3 Fold under the raw edges of the Hessian and stitch with arunning stitch using the large-eyed needle and wool this is to preventthe Hessian fraying selvedge edges can be left as they are
Step 4 Hook in the strips of fabrics filling in the spots first and then thebackground You can either use the design shown here or make up yourown spots and colour scheme
Step 5 When completed lay the rug face down on the floor and turn in a hem of about 6 cms tothe back of the rug and pin it all the way around fold and pin the corners as neatly as possibleSew the hem to the back of the rug with a running stitch using the large-eyed needle and woolVoila You have a rug
wwwfolksycomshopsragtagrugs
Written by Ragtag Rugs
SupplierFor an American Style Rug Hook costing about pound750 and also Hessian go to Fred Aldous CraftSupplies wwwfredaldouscouk
NoteSome people prefer to use a rug making frame which helps to keep the rugsquare but as the rug wersquore making here is fairly small and wersquore keepingthings simple Irsquove dispensed with this
The first item I sold online was on my Folksy shop(httpwwwfolksycomshopsLaurabyTheSea) and was a vintage ceramic andbead brooch the buyer was very pleased with it and gave me great feedback
Tell us about yourselfMy name is Laura and I live by the sea in the East of England Pakefield to be precise I live with my wonderful Brother who is a musician so we have a very creative household and in our bright conservatory I make ldquoLaura by The Seardquo jewellery (from necklaces brooches amp bracelets to ear rings and hair slides) using vintage ceramics I break vintage crockery hand sand it to ensure there are no sharp edges and make the shards into beautiful jewellery
When did your crafting begin and whyI began studying ceramics during my BA Hons degree in Fine Art at The University of Portsmouthwhich is where my obsession for vintage crockery began to grow Initially I began by making newplates and tea cups with vintage shards in but soon the beauty of the ceramic shards startedappealing to me which is when I had the idea of making jewellery out of them - and one day I justdid it and havenrsquot stopped since I just love how the cute patterns really stand out against the silverchain
What was the first item you made to sell online
What is your biggest crafting achievement and why
I think my biggest crafting achievement since starting Laura by The SeaJewellery has to be getting interviewed for the national ldquoMAKE Jewelleryrdquomagazine as their new ldquoIt accessoryrdquo designer I totally didnrsquot expect themto contact me via my Folksy store
Other than crafting what else do you like to do
In my spare time I like to paint I write I stronglybelieve it is the simple things in life that count I am a collectorof anything old with a story and pick up anything found on the seashore First morning sunshine trawling antique treasure troves walks on the sand with my pooch Sepia tones and seeing life through a lens makes me happy I do a photographyfashion blog(laurabytheseatumblrcom) and am a very sociable person These are a fewof my favourite things and yes that should include raindrops on roses andbrown paper packages tied up with string
Where would you like to be in 5 years
In 5 years time I would love to be able to do this on a full time basis tomake enough money to live I am aiming to have my jewellery sold in manyUK wide independent stores and hopefully a few abroad However theultimate dream is to have my jewellery featured in Vogue
The first item I sold online was on my Folksy shop(httpwwwfolksycomshopsLaurabyTheSea) and was a vintage ceramic andbead brooch the buyer was very pleased with it and gave me great feedback
Where does your inspiration come from
My inspiration comes from trawling antique and vintage shops photography (one of my current favphotographers is Elizabeth Sarah from America) and I am always inspired by other people When Iget talking with my friends about anything creative the juices start flowing and I get more designideas I am also inspired and work along with music (anything from RampB amp Hip-hop to Reggae andJazz I have an eclectic mix)
What are your favourite materials and why
Vintage ceramics because I adore the vintage floral prints on the crockeryand like the idea of being as eco-friendly as possible and like to only userecycled materials in my jewellery
What is favourite shop online that isnrsquot yours and why
My favourite online shop has to be Loglike a contemporary gift and home ware store with vintageelements The owner makes cute candlesticks from vintage plates and saucers that look amazing onmy coffee table (see httpwwwfolksycomshopsLoglike)
Has any person helped or supported you more than any other
I would have to say my parents and Brother Not just financially when Iwas a poor struggling student but they are supportive with everything Ido in life and I just couldnrsquot do without them My brother is more like abest friend
Tell us a random fact about yourself
I have 23 dresses in my wardrobe and have a vinyl collection of mostly 1980rsquos music (my guiltypleasure)
httpwwwfolksycomshopsLaurabyTheSea
Visit
Lauraat
in the GardenHi Irsquom Tina
Good to have you visit with me again in The GardenI think we will sit in the conservatory this morning the sun is juststreaming in it is so wonderful to feel the warmth after such a coldwinter I have the kettle on and some little iced biscuits butremember we must not over indulge me especially as I have notbeen working in the garden so much just sitting in doors munching
Well Spring is here at last and it does seem to be in a hurrythis year the crab apple is already in bud and also the fruittrees
I had my own little piece of garden and the plants therewere in my charge if I forgot to water them and theydied mother would say you have to be responsible givethem a little care and you will be rewarded with so muchbeauty and as I look around the garden today thebeauty just takes my breath awayI checked out the herbs after the winter and just look atthis monster itrsquos the parsley how great is this
Here is a photo of the willow catkins or lambs tails as mymother used to call them she was a country woman andknew every wild flower by their old country names sheloved all nature and her garden and was my inspirationfrom an early age
wwwtina-in-the-gardenblogspotcom
Also I think that this flower is really confused it is of coursean antirrhinum when I emptied the summer bedding fromthe tubs some were still fine so I planted them in thegarden and as you can see have been well rewarded Alsosome silver foliage plants which I cannot remember thename of and of course have lost thelabel they seem to think that it isalready summer
At the moment you can get into the bog it does not look half as mysterious as it does inthe summer you can even see the streamMy better half and I have one or two projects this summer well I have theideas and he makes them work howlucky am I So watch this space
Oh you have to leave well thank you again for coming be safe until your next visit withme in The Garden
Your green fingered friendTina
The bluebells are coming throughin the wood not long now beforethey flower they have to hurrybefore the trees get their leaves
Creative CraftingAdvertise with
wwwcreative-craftingcomadvertisehtml
A mouse herecould take customers
to your store
We care about yourcraft business
Prices startfrom
only pound2
There are a lot of different crafts to choose fromThis series of articles will discover some of the more unusual and also some
old world crafts that may have been almost forgotten
This article was created by
The Crystal Ladyhttpwwwmysticearthcouk
Sold by Amazon
Knitting with Dog Hairby Anne Montgomery
Contains easy step-by-step instructions for collecting cleaningstoring and spinning your dogs fur The book includes originalknitting patterns for the novice and the pro - from mittens toshawls to lace collars from your cats hair
How to Knit a Dog Hair Sweater
E-How
The brushed undercoat of a dog is called chiengora and can be used for knittingcrocheting or felting just like lambs wool or other yarn Dogs hair has been used forcenturies for weaving blankets and other coverings Dogs hair is much warmer thanwool Here is how to knit a sweater from dog hair
After the tutorial the writer goes on to leave a warning that dog hair is much warmerthan wool and an entire garment made of dog hair will be too hot to wear
I also found a very fascinating article about a lady called Laurie Moy on the Boulder DailyCamera website
Better a sweater from a dog you know and love than from a sheepyoull never meet
Warp and woof-woof Making clothes out of dog hair
Read more Boulder Daily Camera
This was discovered in an American newspaper by Creative Craftings Tinawe just had to tell you about it
I did some Googling about this and apparently there is quite alot about it I found a tutorial on the popular E-How site
Irsquom sure like me yoursquoll find this quite fascinatingIf any of our spinners out there fancy a go atcreating some yarn from their pooches we wouldlove to see some of the results It is also a greatidea for recycling all of that fluff that you areconstantly sweeping up off your sofa or yourcarpet There really is a use for most things afterall
Salt dough is so quick and easy (and therapeutic) to make endlessly adaptable a joy to sharewith the kids and has the advantage of being made from store-cupboard basics (although youcould make these projects in clay or fimo or even plasticine)The drawbacks are that it takes a while to cookpaintvarnish it will dissolve in wet or very dampconditions and will break if you drop it So allow yourself a couple of days to produce a finishedpiece and varnish thoroughly when decorated to protect against any damage
Making a Batch of Salt Dough
1 Mug of Table Salt2 Mugs of Plain FlourApprox 1 Mug of Tepid Water (Add final frac14 slowly)1 Tablespoon of Olive or Vegetable Oil (Optional)
Mix the flour and salt together in a bowlIf you are using oil (which helps to add elasticity but is optional and not necessary) add it to themug of water Add the water (with or without oil) to the salt and flour mixAdd most of the water stirring into the dry ingredients with a wooden spoon Add the last of thewater carefully as you will need more or less depending on humidity and the gradequality of theflourYou need to add enough to bind the ingredients without making it too sticky Empty onto a lightlyfloured surface and knead for at least ten minutes until the dough is smooth and slightly warm
A Few Tips for Modelling Salt DoughRoll out salt dough onto a lightly floured surface with a floured rolling pin or you could use abottle if you havent got a rolling pin Gently flattening salt dough with the heels of your hands willwork too but keep moving the dough to keep it even and turn it over to the fresh smooth sidejust before you begin cutting shapesKeep the thickness of your pieces under an inch much thicker than this and they wont hardenproperly in the middleUse a sharp knife to cut salt dough shapes but a blunt knife (or the back of a knife) is useful whenmarking lines onto the dough A scalpel or craft knife is best for cutting out intricate shapesUse pastry cutters plasticine moulds forks hair grips scrubbing brushes experiment withanything you have lying around the house
Cooking Salt DoughCook your salt dough pieces slowly in a very low oven The cooler and slower the better to preventdistortion in the cooking process These pieces were cooked at 140275 degrees or Gas Mark 1 forapproximately 2 hours but I often leave them all day in the oven at its lowest setting
Heartmade Gifts
Decorating Salt DoughYou can decorate your pieces before or after the cooking process Try adding food colouringherbs and spices tea or coffee to your dough as you knead it Or try painting your uncooked piecewith an egg wash for a lovely golden glowExperiment with various mediums on cooked pieces Gouache and acrylics work well but posterpaint is fine (if a little limited in colour variation) and you could try chalks felt tips or crayonsUse glue to add decorations including glitter sequins fabric bows tiny scraps of paper etcIts nice to leave the dough perfectly natural sometimes and sometimes a combination of naturaldough and painted areas works very wellVarnish thoroughly Any varnish will work I tend to use a spray varnish as a first coat to set thepaints then I add a few coats of a super store own brand wood varnish (If you need yourfinished piece to be especially waterproof try yacht varnish but be aware that it will tend tochange the colours making them yellowish)Use a small brush to get into all the nooks and crannies and allow each coat to dry thoroughlybefore applying the next one The more coats you apply the better protected your final pieceHowever unvarnished salt dough I have made for personal use (or the odd forgotten piece) hassurvived very well even in a slightly damp old house So dont let a lack of varnish deter you fromtrying salt dough But if you are creating a family heirloom four or five coats of a good varnish willensure it lasts for yearsTry these two Easter projects the ldquoEgg-stra Specialrdquo eggs are very quick and simple enough to dowith small children the primrose basket takes a while and is a little fiddly but well worth tryingand very easy to adapt by choosing your own flower or perhaps some other motif
~ Egg-stra Special Eggs ~
1 Form an egg shape from a small ball of dough by rolling in your hands and pressthis gently onto your baking tray(Its easier to build your salt dough pieces directly onto the tray you will use tocook them rather than try and move them while they are still uncooked I havebuilt my eggs onto the kitchen surface because it will be easier for you to see whatIm doing)
2 Roll out a piece of salt dough and use it to cover the bottom end of youregg like a blanket When you are happy with the position gently lift andrun a wet paintbrush between the two pieces to glue them together
3 Cut out an egg cup shape around your egg
4 Use a damp paintbrush to push the egg cup onto the eggand ensure it sticks
(A damp paintbrush also helps soften edges and blend any creases or cracks)
5 Uncurl an old metal paperclip and push into the dough to form a hangingloop You can use a piece of any wire I try and use paperclips or a piece of wire
coat-hanger as I like to recycle An alternative hanging method is to create a smallhole (or two holes for larger pieces) and thread a ribbon or piece of leather shoelacethrough the hole tying it to make a loop)
6 Cut out a small bow shape from a piece of flattened dough
7 Cut two ribbon ends from a rectangle of flattened dough
8 Use a wet paintbrush to layer the ribbon ends onto thetop of your egg
9 Attach the bow in position And add a small piece to the centre ofthe bow to finish
10 Cook
11 Decorate in whatever way takes your fancy hellip have fun
~ Primrose Basket ~
1 Cover a bowl in greaseproof paper and turn upside down onto your baking tray
2 Roll out some dough to approx 5mm thickness and cut into thin stripslong enough to cover your bowl
3 Lay four of these strips across the bottom ofyour bowl
4 Begin weaving four in the opposite direction by gently liftingalternate strips out of the way laying the cross strip and replacingthe lifted strips
5 Then add one strip to each side until you reach the edge of the bowl
6 Trim the edge with a knife or fold the stripsback to form a rough bowl lip You can indentsomething on the dough to secure anddecorate
7 Cook
8 Carefully remove the bowl and paper
9 Make primrose flowers and leaves and glue them to the rim with a wetpaintbrush replacing your bowl in the oven for a short whileLeaves ndash cut rough leaf shapes out of a piece of flatted dough and mark theveins and indent the edges with the back of a knifeFlowers ndash use a small heart cutter to cut 5 heart shapes and place on the rim with pointstogether indenting the centre with your fingertip and then marking with the end of a paintbrushPaint with whichever medium you prefer or have to hand I have used acrylics here leaving thebasket natural and painting the primrose leaves green and the flowers yellow adding someorange to the centres of the flowers while the yellow is still damp for a blurred effect
This article was written by Diannefrom Heartmade Gifts
Join Heartmade Gifts on Facebook
wwwheartmadegiftswordpresscom
Lilac Lace Heart LocketJewellery by Bina
Vintage Victorian StyledSweetheart Locket
Miss Bohemia
pound17
pound15
Emerald Bewitched
youmin
$40
The Bright Forest Locket
marisolspoon
$35
Cameral Locket
mydogandi
$2750
Creative CraftingFavourite
This article was created by
The Crystal Ladyhttpwwwmysticearthcouk
Lockets may sound very old fashioned but if you have a wander through thehandmade sites you will find a wealth of very modern and extremely beautifuldesigns Perfect for you to carry your loved ones with you wherever you go
Bee Joyful LocketThe Whimsical Wren
pound10
SteampunkWatch Mechanism
Locketedmdesigns
$85
Luscious LocketsLuscious Lockets
Who likes Chocolate CakeThis is a great recipe for Easter Mothers day or any other daylets admit it we all love chocolate
Ingredients
7 oz self raising flour8 oz caster sugar1 teaspoon of salt2 tablespoons of cocoa powder4 oz margarine2 eggs beaten with5 tablespoons evaporated milk5 tablespoons water1 teaspoon vanilla essence
1 Sift together flour sugar and salt and cocoa2 Rub in margarine3 Stir in eggs essence and liquids then beat well4 Grease and flour 2 8 inch cake tins divide the mixture between them5 Bake in a moderate over 325-350 F gas mark 3 about 35 minutes6 When cold sandwich together and cover in milk chocolate icing
Milk chocolate Icing
Ingredients
2 and a half oz margarine or butter4 tablespoons cocoa8 oz sieved icing sugar3 tablespoons hot milk1 teaspoon vanilla essence
Melt the margarine or butter and blend incocoa powder then stir in icing sugar milkand vanilla essence Beat until smooth andthick
We hope you all enjoy the recipe we would love to see anypictures of chocolate cakes that you make
Instructions
Instructions
Written and reviewed by Peggyrsquos Knitshttppeggyscollectionwebscom
By Sprinkles Sparkleshttpwwwsprinklessparklescouk
All prices are correct at the time of publication
Budget amp LuxurySpring special
Woodland DaffodilsCharm Bracelet
Coco Angel Rosepound1600
Spring Flower Hair ClipFlutter2me
pound450
Spring flowers broochDi Does Craft
pound800
Pink Spring Clutchfunky diva designs
pound1750
Cupcake BuntingCotton Cottage
pound1650
Purple TulipsWildrose Ridge
pound350
Chickadees and LilacsStained Glass WindowStained Glass Addie
pound4940
The Charlotte - SageRosalind Jamespound14500
Springtime 16 Crayon RollApple n Amos
pound509
Buttercup earrings in softyellow with peridot and brass
Goblins Marketpound401
Springtime DalaFolk Horse HangingDecoration - YellowCourt and Spark
pound400
D A P H N E - BrokenChina Plate Pendant
and Sterling Silver NecklaceDesigns by Mila
pound2228
To make the leaves
Using DK yarn and 300 mm hook make 5 leaves as follows
Rnd 1 9ch dc in 2nd ch 1htr in next ch 1tr in each of next 6ch 3ch ss in base of last tr worked
Now work on opposite side of stitches by turning the work
Rnd 2 3ch 1tr in each of next 6ch 1htr in next ch dc ss in top of first stFasten off and sew in loose ends
Materials
Small quantity of DK yarn I have used a yarn with awool-mix but any DK yarn of your choice will be suitableSmall quantity of kid mohair yarn (use two strands together)300 mm hook200 mm hookOne large buttonBrooch pinSewing needle
To make the small rose
Using a 200 mm hook and working two strands of kid mohair yarn together 13ch
Rnd 1 1tr 2ch 1tr in 4th ch (skip 2ch 1tr 2ch 1tr in next ch) 3 times (4 v- spaces)
Rnd 2 3ch 6tr into next v-space 1dc into space between v-spaces Continue with 6tr into eachv-space and 1dc in between spaces until end ss into last ch Fasten off
Roll the work with fingers from start to finish to create a small rose flower and sew together at thebase
Assembling the brooch
Turn the flower so the right side is facing up and sew the button in the centre of the flowerAttach the rose to the centre of the button as shown in diagram Sew a brooch pin to the back of theflower to complete the brooch
Arrange the 5 leaves to form a circle so thecorners of the leaves are touching Sew eachcorner together to form the petals of aflower
Turn the work so the wrong side is facing upand close the hole by sewing together withthe same DK yarn used to make the leaves
Crochet Flower Brooch
ch - chain stitchdc - double crochethtr - half treble crochetss - slip stitchtr - treble crochetst - stitch
Crochet Mobile PhoneiPod Cosy
Materials
50g Dk yarn in mustard colourSmall quantity of DK yarn in bright pink for picot edgingof cosy and small roseSmall quantity of DK yarn in sage green for leaves of roseflowerSize 300mm hook
Instructions for the cosy
The cosy can be made to fit a mobile phoneiPod of your choice
Pattern note the pattern is worked in dc throughout and worked in the round using the tapestrycrochet method of crochet This involves carrying a second yarn below the first making it verystrong
Foundation row
Using one strand of DK yarn in mustard make a chain that measures the width of your mobilephoneipod
Rnd 1 dc across row until the last chain 2dc in last chain Turn work
Rnd 2 Begin to carry a second strand of mustard yarn throughouteach round and every round from now on This yarn is not worked butcarried below the first strand of yarn
Work along the opposite side of the row just worked 1dc in first ch1ch in each chain until the last chain 2dc in last chain Now mark thelast stitch just worked with a different colour yarn so you can see theend of the round and keep moving this marker up to the last stitchworked
Rnd 3 Dc in each chain around working in spirals moving the stitchmarker as the piece grows Continue until the work measures thedesired length to fit the mobileiPod Fasten off and tie in loose ends
ch - chain stitchdc - double crochethtr - half treble crochetss - slip stitchtr - treble crochetst - stitch
Instructions for rose flower
Rnd 1 Using DK yarn in bright pink 1tr 2ch 1tr in 4th ch (skip 2ch1tr 2ch 1tr in next ch) 3 times (4 v- spaces)
Rnd 2 3ch 6tr into next v-space 1dc into space between v-spacesContinue with 6tr into each v-space and 1dc in between spaces untilend ss into last ch Fasten off
Roll the work with fingers from start to finish to create a small rose flower and sew together at thebase
Instructions for leaves
Using DK yarn and 300mm hook make 2 leaves as follows
Rnd 1 5ch dc in 2nd ch 1htr in next ch 1tr in each of next 2ch 3ch ss in base of last tr workedNow work on opposite side of stitches by turning the work
Rnd 2 3ch 1tr in each of next 2 ch 1htr in next ch dc ss in top of first st Fasten off and sew inloose ends
Assembly
Sew the leaves to the reverse of the rose and attach to the cosy as shown in the picture
Picot edging
Rnd 1 Using DK yarn in bright pink dc into each stitch around the edge of the cosy opening ss tofirst dc
Rnd 2 3ch ss into 2nd chain from hook ss into base of 3ch dc into next 2ch 3ch continuefrom to ss into last ch Fasten off and sew in loose ends
Written by Andrea Lesley Crochethttpwwwfolksycomshopsandrealesleycrochet
Materials
T - shirt - colour your choiceScissorsChainSewing needle and threadCorsage or embellishments
Step 1 First get a plain whitet-shirt
Step 2 Then cut off the neck Step 3 Now sew two pieces of chain to each side of where theneckline should be
Step 4 Cut a triangle out ofthe bottom of the t-shirt
Step 5 Tie the two ends thatare left into a knot or bow
Step 6 Finally add a corsageor flower to the front
Step 7 Now you have a bang on trend crop top simply wear over a vest top I loved designing andgokking up this t-shirt it took minutes and didnt cost a lot either
Corsage made by Madam SalamihttpwwwetsycomshopMadamSalami
Written By Heidi Jackson
Favourite finds from around the crafting communityThis months focus is Easter and Spring
Click on the images to take you to their store
Online StreetMISI
Ring With A FlowerBlue Fish Handmade
pound800
Spring necklace in glassand sterling silver
RosieJo Jewellerypound1275
Easter Eggs CardNaomi Constable
pound250
FOLKSY
Easter rabbit cushionwith choccie eggs
Phoebelinas Treasurespound500
Easter Knitted BagsFluerette
pound300
Small Gorgeous FeltSpring Bouquets
Spare Minute Productionspound2000
WOW THANK YOU
Green And Brown PetalFlower Bracelet
Sprinkles Sparklespound3750 inc pampp
Handmade Pink Canvas Wall Art(Set of 3)
Craft on Canvaspound3900 inc pampp
Blue Easter ChickDharmapaintings
pound12 20 inc pampp
All prices correct at the time of publication
Favourite finds from around the crafting communityThis months focus is Easter and Spring
Click on the images to take you to their store
Best PicksUGLY BE GONE
Handpainted DottyDolly Pegs
Ticketty Boopound650
Quirky Motifs ShopperRachael Taylor
pound1500
Collette the Cow BibBaby Boutique
pound1100
The Cutie Pie - recycledpaper butterfly shadow boxThe WingSpan Collection
pound6421
Easter 1 Square PendantHappy Easter Spring Flowers
Miss Gooseberry Pendantspound321
ETSY
RETROEasterplastic springfling daisy clip-on earringsamber brown makes art
pound208ARTFIRE
Easter Egg Mini Cards 2x2 6Peculiar Parchment
pound170
Spring Chicks - Little FusedGlass Dish - Easter Gift
First Light Glasspound926
4 Chocolate Easter ParadeBunny Lollipops extra large
Candy Cottagepound741
All prices correct at the time of publication
What you will need3 x 10 inch lengths of purple Cylon cord10mm silver plated lobster clasp and clasp tag2 x silver plated fold over necklace endsApprox 24 Rose Quartz gemstone chip beads(holes need to be large enough to thread onelength of the cylon cord though)2 x 4mm silver plated jump rings
Rose Quartz is the stone of unconditionalloveIt purifies and opens the heart helping thewearer to love themselves as well as others
Rose Quartz draws off negative energy andhelps release unexpressed emotions
Encourages self forgiveness and acceptanceaids self trust and self worth
I find it easier to use a macrame board for making this type of bracelet as it make it easier tokeep the design neat but its not essential I use a simple board made from a cork notice boardand pins I also use nylon nosed pliers to fold over the necklace ends as I find metal pliers oftenleave marks but again they arent essential
Step 2 Thread a chip bead onto each of the outer lengths ofcord
Step 3 Cross the outer cordsover the middle one as youwould in a braid Then braid thecords again
Step 1 Attach one of thenecklace ends to one end ofthe three lengths of CyloncordYou can then use the hole inthe end to attach the braceletto your board
Make a Rose Quartz Bracelet
Step 6 Attach the secondnecklace end to the three cordwithout cutting them as it makesit easier The ends can then betrimmed with a craft knife orsharp scissors
Step 7 Using the jump ringsattach the clasp to one end ofthe bracelet and the clasp tagto the other
Step 4 Thread two chip beadson to the new outer lengths ofcord and braid as in the previousstep
Step 5 Repeat step three and four untilthe bracelet reaches seven inchesor your desired length
(The clasp section will measureapproximately one inch)
If the cord ends become frayed they canbe fixed with a little super glue
Step 8 And there you areOne finished rose quartzbracelet
Would you like to share a craft project with Creative Crafting
Let us know what project you would like toshare with us
Anything from jewellery knitting and crochetcrafts paper crafts or a craft you feel hasbeen forgotten about
Email thecrystalladycreative-craftingcom
Written by Elderberry Artshttpwwwelderberryartscouk
To those who are not yet aware Prince William and Kate Middleton will tie the knot this month onFriday 29th April in a quiet little ceremony at Westminster Abbey To some this may mean getting aday off to celebrate the nuptials or actually attend the whole affair To others like myself who areself-employed there will be no day off and hence little difference from a normal day but we can stillbe happy for the two love birds entering a state of marital bliss for the first timeIn these uncertain economic times I am not sure how the Royal Wedding will affect the economyhow much money will people want to spend Will this mean street parties like those that dominatemany peoplersquos memories from Prince Charles and Dianarsquos wedding back in 1981 Will there be arush to purchase ridiculously crass lsquosouvenirrsquo mugs plates tea towels or will the market just not bethere at all with all the unsold Royal Wedding goods in the pound shops by JuneThe handmade and crafting sector needs to be aware of the sales potential created by this Royalevent and so products should be made available to support the celebrations and possibly make thecountry feel good about itself again Maybe a lovely warm spring day in April will be good for thecountry and make it forget its economic woes for a few hoursWe asked a number of our sellers about their experience of the last big Royal Wedding (Charles andDiana) and what they are going to do this time to celebrate There were mixed feelings ndash manywere too young to remember much about the 1981 event and even though I remember a day offfrom school I cannot remember any street parties or spontaneous Mardi Gras This time around Ithink money will be a big factor and most people will not stray too far from a bit of home baking inred white and blue and also a show of patriotic bunting Union Jacks are quite the lsquoin thingrsquo at themoment for interior design and so a patriotic statement may double as being hip and trendy
Kim Lampard of Zigzag Bunting thinks a great way tocelebrate the Royal Wedding is to make your own buntingShe suggests pulling together a pile of fabrics that you nolonger need but that hold cherished memories for you forexample your daughterrsquos first cute dress a tea-towel youbought on a special holiday an old bedspread made by your
Granny Even if the items are damaged so cannot be passed on to others there is always a littlecorner that can be cut up into a triangle to make a bunting flag Mix a few of these together and ifyou have enough for a colour scheme (such as red white and blue) fine but donrsquot worry the flagsdonrsquot even need to be the same size Sometimes a shabby chic lsquoMix and Matchrsquo approach turns outto be perfect Sew the fabric triangles onto a piece of ribbon or bias tape and you will have awonderful string of bunting to decorate for the special day You and your family will remember notonly the Royal Wedding when you bring out that bunting but have extra glimpses of their past inthe fabrics Definitely a memento to cherish
Gaye Weekes of A amp V Designs now lives in Snowdonia North Wales and onlyan hour away from Anglesey where the Royal couple will begin their marriedlife She has no doubt had that His Highness has been hovering over theirremote valley in his helicopter over recent months Gaye plans to be flying redwhite and green Welsh bunting for the wedding Her bunting is made fromvintage fabric from the 1950s and 1960s - a cotton heavy woven greenand cream floral and a jolly red and white gingham She adds ldquo
rdquo
This article was written by
from
httpwwwwowthankyoucouk
Karine Ait-Mohamed of The Pink Fairy Cake isFrench but now lives in England She says ldquo
rdquo In the spirit of the occasion Karinehas produced a product that combines both England and France into the celebration Shehas produced sets of two Union Jack hearts filled with lavender from Chateau la Gabelle inHaute-Provence
Lisa MacDonald of LisaMollyMacDonaldis quite enthusiastic about the weddingand getting caught up in the glamour of the
occasion ldquo
rdquo
Lou Carswell of Loubie Jewels has some prettyfantastic red white and blue jewellery which wouldbe suitable for a Royal wedding celebration She told
us ldquo
rdquo
So what can we gather from these observations It will be a nice idea to celebrate the RoyalWedding If we apply a little lsquowartimersquo austerity (handmade lends itself to recycling andupcycling) we shouldnrsquot have to spend a fortune We can step back from commercialism andbe involved in a low key but meaningful way that will make the event more memorable for itssimplicity and just a little thrift God Bless William and Kate
Tell us about yourself
My name is Sandra Ritchie I live in Cleethorpes UK with my husbandJason my 10 year old daughter Alisha my 2 year old son Alfred andour dog Dumbledore Primarily I am a housewife but in my sparetime I make jewellery of all kinds from beaded pieces to metal workbut mainly I make custom-made bespoke precious metal jewellery
When did your crafting begin and why
Many years ago I studied Jewellery and Metal Art at college andover time Ive collected the tools I needed but never got round tosetting up a workroom until 2009 when my Husband pointed outthat our Utility Room would be perfect for me to set up as aworkroom to start making jewellery again It seemed ideal Ialready had people interested in me making them some jewelleryand it meant I could stay at home and look after the children as wellas try to establish a name for myself as a Jewellery designermaker
What was the first item you made to sell online
The first item I made to sell whilst not specifically to sell online was asilver octopus necklace commissioned by an acquaintance of mine thathad seen the silver octopus necklace that I made for myself whilst atcollege and wanted one like it She has since purchased the silver andcopper entwined Dragon necklace and a commissioned silver Dragonand is back on my list for another piece to be made My number onefan I think
What is your biggest crafting achievement and why
I love all the pieces Ive created especially my Custom work but myfavourite piece of all is the Greenman necklace I was approached tomake something as a surprise for someone and was basically giventhe opportunity to produce something different to my usual pieces Ilove making pieces that are based on peoples ideas of what theywant that is really special but the Greenman necklace was mydesign based on what the customer wanted it to represent I had toteach myself etching for the piece as its something Id never learntand Im really pleased with how it worked out
Other than crafting what else do you like to do
I love spending time with my children and family I love baking andcooking too and I suppose I should admit to enjoying the oddrelaxing glass (or bottle) of nice wine when the children are in bed
wwwlittlefairycultcouk
Where would you like to be in 5 years
In 5 years time Id love to be in a better financial position so I canbuy silver and make silver jewellery to sell that isnt just Custom-made Ive started sneaking a few pieces of precious metal jewellerythat are for general sale onto my site
Where does your inspiration come from
My inspiration is usually from the customers themselves They tell mewhat it is they want and I design a piece to reflect that Sometimes theyalter the design slightly to reflect more of how they want it and that isfine For my bead jewellery its usually what beads I have in myworkroom that inspire my beaded pieces I very rarely buy beads for thereason that I have a design idea and usually just buy mixed lots of beadsand work with what I have
What are your favourite materials and why
I really love working with precious metals There is somethinguniquely satisfying about taking a flat sheet of metal and turning itinto a beautiful piece of jewellery Thats why I take pictures of thepieces as I am making them so that other people and the customerwhos item it is can enjoy seeing it progress from a blank piece ofprecious metal into the finished piece
What is favourite shop online that isnrsquot yours and why
Oh my There are so many amazing websites offering beautiful andunique handmade items but I will always take a look at Etsy to see ifthere is anything that catches my eye on there They have such a largevariety of designerssellers making almost everything but the kitchen sink(though I bet if you looked hard enough youd find one on there) Ireally enjoy the little treasuries they do too where you can browse aselection of items that are grouped together by themes
Has any person helped or supported you more than any other
I have had a lot of support from the good friends I have gained on Twitter and of coursemy real life friends have been extremely supportive too but the main reason I actuallysorted out my workroom (or corner of the utility room) was due to my husband insistingthat I start making jewellery again Luckily his insistence and support paid off virtuallystraight away when a friend asked for the octopus necklace I mentioned earlier to bemade
Tell us a random fact about yourself
I have known the sex of each child and whether Id be carrying one or more before I evenconceived them Fairly random but fact nevertheless
Kit includes seed beads 5 x handmade glass beads choker wire x 3 banglewire x 2 ring wire x 3 jewellery pliers beading mat instructions
Makes 8 fabulous and individual pieces of jewellery without the need forfiddly findings books or other money-wasters
Beaded Jewellery Kitpound12Japan Crafts
A coordinating selection of beads plus step-by-step full colour instructions to make your own version of the Jungle Collar design Learn how to work peyote stitch edge it with drops and embellish it with a lush fringe and beaded flowers and leaves Let your beading imagination run wild
Each kit is hand-picked and slightly different so the beads you receive may not be the exact onesshown in the photograph but you can be certain that your necklace will be uniqueThe kit comes carefully packaged in a handy reusable storage box the only things yoursquoll need inaddition are a beading needle a spool of nylon beading thread and some sharp scissors
Beadweaving Kit for Jungle Collar
pound38Lynn Davy
Fairy Earrings Jewellery Making Kit - Ages 7yrs+
pound5Jewellery Making Kits
These single kits are fabulous for all crafty and creative girls They also make great presents for school friends nieces sisters or even grown ups Each kit includes Sterling Silver earwires or studs a small selection of flowers for the skirt a pair of wings a few coloured glass pearls for the heads silver headpin Organza Bag Full set of instructionsSuitable for ages 7 years and up Requires a pair of pliers to finish off - all instructions included
Bracelet Kit - Chunky Swarovski Pearl and Crystal with Toggle Clasp
pound750Wonderstuff Craft Kits
A little kit of bronze Swarovski pearls and Golden Shadow Swarovski crystals silk and toggle clasp
Kit includes 11 x Swarovski 12mm Pearls Colour - Soft Bronze 3 x Swarovski Crystal 8mm Rondelles - Colour - Golden Shadow 8 x Swarovski Crystal 4mmBicones Colour - Light Colorado Topaz 1 x Silver Plated Toggle Bar 1 x Silver plated Toggle RingBracelet length of threading silk Instructions
This kit contains top quality beads to make an exquisite braceletno special tools are needed
Jewellery making kits
from the small crafterWersquove found a selection of wonderful beading kits for allages and experience These are not massed producedsets but offered by the small crafter
This article was created by The Crystal Lady httpwwwmysticearthcouk
This Months
This months lsquoMan of the Monthrsquo is Ade (Adrian)EdmondsonChosen by MegampMillie
This months lsquoLady of the Monthrsquo is GwenStefaniChosen by Claire Pearcy from Elderberry Arts
httpwwwgwenstefanicom
httpwwwunrealitytvcouklets-dance-for-comic-relieflets-dance-for-comic-relief-results-ade-edmondson-and-eighties-super-group-make-next-weeks-final
(Nothing like an April Fools)
This months lsquoBlog of the Month Awardrsquo goes to lsquoItrsquos All Fiddle Fartrsquo
httpitsallfiddlefartblogspotcom
This months lsquoShop of the Month Awardrsquo goes to lsquoJulias DriftwoodFurniturersquo
httpwwwfolksycomshopsseasandview123
ww
wc
reativ
e-cr
afting
co
mw
ww
cr
eative-c
on
nec
tion
snin
gc
om
CREATIVE CRAFTING
Our next issue will be available to read on
1st June 2010If you have missed any of our issues you
can find them to read on our websitewwwcreative-craftingcom
And also on our Social Network Creative Connectionswwwcreative-connectionsningcom
To advertise in Creative Crafting or to submit an article please contact Annaat thecrystalladycreative-craftingcom
AUGUSTSUMMER 2010
Issue 5
By Crafters for Crafters
Check out our
CraftersDirectory
CREATIVE CRAFTING
By Crafters for Crafters
Issue 3
ValentinesMothers Day 2010
HandcraftedWeddingSpecial
Valentine ampMothers Day
Projects
Have youbeen
featured
By Crafters for Crafters
Issue 3ValentinesMothers Day 2010
Handcrafted
Wedding
SpecialValentine amp
Mothers Day
ProjectsHave you
been
featured
By
EASTER 2010
Issue 4
FATHERS DAY 2010
Issue 4
By Crafters for Crafters
Ch
eck out our
Craft
ersDirectory
AUGUSTSUMMER 2
010
Issu
e 5
By Craf
ters fo
r Craf
ters
Chec
k out our
Crafters
Directory
CREATIVE
C
RAFTINGAU
TUM
N H
ALLO
WEE
N 201
0Is
sue
7
CREA
TIVE
CRAF
TIN
G
By Craf
ters f
or C
rafter
s
Chec
k
out our
Craft
ersDirect
ory
An
niv
ersa
ry
Issu
e
Donrsquot forget
All of our links andadverts are fullyclickable
If you would like to embed our magazine into your website blog myspace page etc you can
customise the code to suit your style and size
AUTUMN HALLOWEEN 2010
Issue 7CREATIVE CRAFTING
By Crafters for Crafters
Check out our
CraftersDirectory
Anniversary
Issue
CHRISTMAS 2010
Issue 8
By Crafters for Crafters
FATHERS DAY 2010
Issue 4
By Crafters for Crafters
Check out our
Crafters
Directory
EASTER 2010
Issue 4
By Crafters for Crafters
By Crafters for Crafters
VALENTINES 2011Issue 9
CREATIVE CRAFTING
Beautiful Jewellery to helpyou through life
wwwmysticearthcouk
These pieces of unique jewellery makethe perfect gift for a loved one or a much
needed treat for yourself
MYSTIC EARTH
Have you ever thought ofhaving a piece of
Gemstone and CrystalHealing Jewellery Created
lsquojust for yoursquoEach stone matched to your needs
The Crystal Lady at Mystic Earthcan offer you this service
Quality KnittedItems
httpwwwpeggyscollectionwebscom
PeggyrsquosCollection
Made with love and care
Mother Nature has provided us withwonderful Healing Gemstones and Minerals
PeridotFor this Issue discover the beauty of
(MgFe)2(SiO4)+AlCaMnNiCoCrTi
If you would likemore information about
Crystal Healing Jewelleryyou can contact
The Crystal Lady atthecrystalladymysticearthcouk
httpwwwmysticearthcoukor visit
In the Middle Ages Peridot was employed for warding off evil spiritsand to bestow wisdom and friendship
Mentally -Dissolves oppressive feelings that arise from self-blameAllows us to forgive ourselves
Physically - Peridot has a strong detoxifying effect and stimulates the liverEnhances the liver and gallbladder helps with skin problems even warts
Chakra - Heart Solar Plexus
Peridot Mini Hair Comb
pound14
Lime Crush
pound35Victorian Sterling Silver
Peridot Ring
$38
Chocolate Pearl and PeridotNecklace
$78Jasper Peridot Rhyolite
and Pearl Necklace
pound45
Peridot Chip Bracelet
pound7
As a woman in the UK today if you attend a wedding or the races andparticularly if you are lucky enough to go to Ladies Day at Royal Ascotthen it is usually expected that you should wear a hat or nowadaysa fascinator
If you want to get ahead get a hat
People have always worn hats in someform whether as a protective head covering oras a mark of status within society hats have alwayshad their place In the 15th century it was expectedthat women keep their hair covered wearing veilsand wimples and refashioned male hats were alsopopular
But it was not until the 17th century that womenrsquosheadwear began to take the familiar shape that it does today Bonnetsbecame increasingly popular and at times could be extremely elaboratetrimmed with ribbons lace and feathers
The term lsquomillinerrsquo meaning a maker of womenrsquos hats refers to products derived from Milan andNorthern Italy such as the straws and ribbons used in the making of hats
The haberdashers who imported of these products were known as lsquoMillanersrsquo from which we getthis term The first use of the term in the UK was in the 1700rsquos
Hats were extremely popular at the turn of the 20th century not only forspecial occasions Victorian hats were large brimmed and ornatelydecorated with flowers feathers ribbons and beads The austerity of theSecond World War led to their eventual decline as an everyday pieceof a womanrsquos wardrobe
Nowadays hats and the ever popular fascinator are seeing a resurgencenot in the least thanks to the influences of women such as Sarah JessicaParker Paloma Faith and of course Kate Middleton
Choosing a hat or fascinator needs careful consideration Height faceshape and personality all play a part in shaping your decision A boldfascinator is a statement piece and is certainly not for the shy
Everyone can wear some type of hat or fascinator its just a matter of finding the right one to suityou
There are some amazing British professional milliners working today not least including thelikes of Stephen Jones and Phillip Treacy but you will also find in the UK some wonderful millinersselling their designs on Etsy each producing unique designs to put the perfect finish to any outfitwhatever the occasion
Off With Her Head is run by self taught designer and milliner Lisa Poolewhose designs are fuelled by a love of vintage fashion and moviecostumes
Based in Fife Scotland she prides herself on creating each piece by handand loves to create bespoke pieces for her customers
Off With Her Head focuses on creating vintage inspired pieces andalthough Lisa creates hats and fascinators from various eras in historyshe admits to being a little biased towards the 1950rsquos as its her favouritedecade for fashion
Whatever direction Off With Her Head takes the ethos behind the businessremains the same - quality hats and fascinators at a reasonable price
Off With Her Head ndash Vintage Inspired Millinery
Etsy Store httpwwwetsycomshopmadamequeenyWebsite wwwoffwithherheadcouk
Annalisa Maria Millinery
Annalisa of Annalisa Maria Millinery has always adored hats andbeing the type of person who loves to make things she quitenaturally became interested in millinery
Trained at Kensington and Chelsea college famous for itsmillinery alumni where she learnt all the basics of the trade
She now works out of her London home producing beautifulone of a kind hats and head pieces
Etsy Store wwwetsycomshopdesignsbyannalisa
With so much choice there is absolutely no excuse not to finish your outfit with stunning hatfascinator or headpiecehellip and as they say
Written By Lisa PooleFrom Off With Her Headwwwoffwithherheadcouk
Ella Gajewska is a professional milliner working in London Hats are thelove of her life She has been working as a milliner since 1996 thoughher passion for hats started much earlier in her childhood when Ellacreated hats for her dolls to give them a bit more of an extravagantlook
Having achieved success in Poland where she was a milliners ateliermanager and an inspiring teacher for other young milliners she decidedto take her chances in London the world capital of hats
Since 2001 Ella Gajewska has had the chance of working for renownedateliers and milliners Working in England alongside the best designersof various head wear she has had the chance to develop and perfecther skills even more
Ella Gajewska
Etsy Store wwwetsycomshopEllaGajewskaWebsite wwwellagajewskacom
Little Miss B Design
Little Miss B started out making hats and accessories for herselfand friends uninspired by what was available on the high streetShe decided that shersquod like to give a wider audience the chanceto own a unique Little Miss B creation so began her foray intofashion and millinery
Her inspirations comes from days gone by when style andglamour were more apparent and the quality of craftsmanshipwas high From the 1920s to the 1960s vintage to rockabillyLittle Miss B brings it to the present day with a modern twist
Etsy Store httpwwwetsycomshopLittleMissBDesign
Ive always been artistic in one form or another As a child I always paintedand drew a lot At school I did everything from make a wooden fish pencilholder perspex badges pottery and childrens toys I was very into pencildrawings and shading but I loved using watercolour and other textures formy more cartoonManga style art
I was never very good at what back then was deemed the Girlie stuff I wasmore into woodwork and moulding and graphics This is probably what mademe choose my Bachelor of Science Degree in Architectural Technology Formy degree we used a lot of CAD (Computer Aided Design) to design buildings and building materialsWe also had to craft models of some of our own designs with foam board and other materials I wasin my element with this part of the curriculum
The great thing about craftdesignmaking things - whatever you want to call it is that there is a freedom in Art that you do not get anywhere else There is no right and wrong and no rules The rules come later At the point of concept it is just you and your imagination Which is very liberating and also quite scary because we are conditioned to think within the constraints of rules Art has no rules
Dianes Celebrity ChatsOur lovely Di from Peggyrsquos Knits chats to another celebrity about crafting
Tanya has worked on a number of shows the most recent being the character Adele Alfrey in ITVrsquos Emmerdale She has also worked on other familiar shows with awardwinning producers directors and writers She starred in the BBCcomedy Kerching Her first professional role was in Holby CityShe is also an accomplished presenter and budding playwrightTanya is a former student of the National Youth TheatreTanya told me how she has been artistic about how she sees artand her views on crafting
Please all take a look at Tanyarsquos website which ishttpwwwtanyavitalcom
What you will needFleece material - To determine the size needed- measure the circumference of your head(around your ears) and add 12 inch for seamallowance This will be the width and the lengthmeasurement is 20 inchesCotton thread in the same or contrasting colour
Average Head Sizes -
Newborn (6 months and younger)Circumference 14 to 17 inchesCrown 8 to 10 inches
Infant (6 to 12 months)Circumference 16 to 19 inchesCrown 11 to 12 inches
Child (12 months to 3 years)Circumference 18 to 20 inchesCrown 11 to 12 inches
Step 1 Lay out your fleece on a flat surface anddraw out a rectangle using the measurements forthe hat size required This should be 20 inches longand the width will be the circumference measurementof the size hat your making plus 12 inch seamallowance So to make a hat for a child with a headcircumference of 15 inches the width should be15 12 inches
Claire from Elderberry Arts shows us how to make achildrens hat from fleece material
Why not experiment this Easter holiday
Below are easy to follow instructions and a sizing guide
Thin length of fleece approx 12 inches by12 inchRuler or tape measureTailors chalk or penScissorsPinsSewing needles or sewing machine
Elderberrry Arts
Step 4 Place the right sides of the fleecetogether and pin along the length of thematerial Sew along this edge either by handor machine Knot ends and sewing inside thehem You can trim this hem to make it even andneater if needed
Step 5 Turn the hat right side out andarrange it so the seam is in the middleback From the bottom of your hatmeasure the crown length and place thefleece strip under the hat at this point
Step 6 Tie the ends of thestrip together and pull tightto gather hat
Step 7 Now cut the topsection of the hat into stripsapproximately 12 inch wide
Once youve cut all the wayround the strips can be trimmedto shorten them if required
You could also thread plastic ponybeads on some or all of the stripsknotting the bottom to secure them
Step 2 Cut out the rectangleof fleece Then cut a strip 12inches by 12 inch of fleecefrom the leftover material
Step 3 Pin a hem approx12 inch wide across theshorter length of fleece
Sew either by hand or machineKnot ends and sewing insidethe hem
Written by Elderberry Artshttpwwwelderberryartscouk
Rug Making Ragtag RugsWith
Looking for something fabulous to make using all your old T-shirts sweat shirts and other disusedgarments If so this could be the project for you
The craft of making rag rugs is very traditional and dates backto the mid eighteen hundreds itrsquos still very relevant today whatwith the importance of recycling the other great thing aboutit is that the design on the rug can pretty much be whateveryou want it to be - an image of your pet or your house anabstract or geometric design or something floral traditionalhellip itrsquos totally up to you and your imagination
The technique Irsquoll be using for this project is a method calledlsquohookingrsquo which is very simple and produces a soft and hardwearing pile Irsquove tried to keep everything simple and equipment to a minimum so that everyone canhave a go My favourite fabrics to use are the afore mentioned T-shirts and sweat shirts as they frayvery little but most textiles of a medium thickness can be used
MaterialsVirtually any material can be used in a rag rug some materials are easier to work with than othersThe best materials to use for hooking include T-shirts sweat shirts lightweight cottonssynthetics amplightweight woolsynthetic jumpers Fabrics such as heavy weight denim are not suitableFor this project Irsquove used plain fabrics but patterned fabrics can also be used
HookingStep 1 Working with the Hessian design side up poke the hook through the Hessian and grab thestrip of fabric underneath with the hook
Step 2 Pull the end of the strip of fabric up through the Hessian so that you leave a tail of at least1 cm sticking up
Step 3 Move the hook along about half a centimeter poke it back down through the Hessian andpull a loop of fabric up through to the top of the Hessian a loop height of about 1 cm is best thenjust repeat this technique filling in the required area when you reach the end of a fabric strip pullthe end up through the Hessian and trim it so itrsquos the same height as the loopsMake sure your loops are dense enough and you canrsquot see any of the Hessian backing There is noneed to physically fix the loops in place as they will stay put automatically due to the thickness ofThe fabric and the denseness of the loops
What you will needA piece of Hessian measuring 90 cm x 110 cmSelection of fabrics cut into strips measuring1 - 2 cm wide depending on the thickness ofthe fabric and avoid any seamsRug hookDressmakers pinsScissors
Large-eyed needleBall of woolMarker penYard stick metre ruler2 sheets of thin A4 card or a flattened cereal packetCompassPencil
Ragtag Rugs Rug Making Ragtag RugsWith
Step 1 Using the compass and pencildraw two circles measuring 185 cmacross on the sheets of card and cut theseout using the scissors
Step 2 Using the marker pen and metre rule draw a rectangle on the piece of Hessian measuring63 cm x 84 cm leaving a boarder of about 12 cm all the way around the rectangle Divide therectangle into four giving you central lines for the width and length of the rug Place the card spotson the Hessian in the appropriate places and draw around them using the marker pen for the halfand quarter spots fold one of the card templates accordingly and then draw around it Draw in yourdesigns within the spots
Step 3 Fold under the raw edges of the Hessian and stitch with arunning stitch using the large-eyed needle and wool this is to preventthe Hessian fraying selvedge edges can be left as they are
Step 4 Hook in the strips of fabrics filling in the spots first and then thebackground You can either use the design shown here or make up yourown spots and colour scheme
Step 5 When completed lay the rug face down on the floor and turn in a hem of about 6 cms tothe back of the rug and pin it all the way around fold and pin the corners as neatly as possibleSew the hem to the back of the rug with a running stitch using the large-eyed needle and woolVoila You have a rug
wwwfolksycomshopsragtagrugs
Written by Ragtag Rugs
SupplierFor an American Style Rug Hook costing about pound750 and also Hessian go to Fred Aldous CraftSupplies wwwfredaldouscouk
NoteSome people prefer to use a rug making frame which helps to keep the rugsquare but as the rug wersquore making here is fairly small and wersquore keepingthings simple Irsquove dispensed with this
The first item I sold online was on my Folksy shop(httpwwwfolksycomshopsLaurabyTheSea) and was a vintage ceramic andbead brooch the buyer was very pleased with it and gave me great feedback
Tell us about yourselfMy name is Laura and I live by the sea in the East of England Pakefield to be precise I live with my wonderful Brother who is a musician so we have a very creative household and in our bright conservatory I make ldquoLaura by The Seardquo jewellery (from necklaces brooches amp bracelets to ear rings and hair slides) using vintage ceramics I break vintage crockery hand sand it to ensure there are no sharp edges and make the shards into beautiful jewellery
When did your crafting begin and whyI began studying ceramics during my BA Hons degree in Fine Art at The University of Portsmouthwhich is where my obsession for vintage crockery began to grow Initially I began by making newplates and tea cups with vintage shards in but soon the beauty of the ceramic shards startedappealing to me which is when I had the idea of making jewellery out of them - and one day I justdid it and havenrsquot stopped since I just love how the cute patterns really stand out against the silverchain
What was the first item you made to sell online
What is your biggest crafting achievement and why
I think my biggest crafting achievement since starting Laura by The SeaJewellery has to be getting interviewed for the national ldquoMAKE Jewelleryrdquomagazine as their new ldquoIt accessoryrdquo designer I totally didnrsquot expect themto contact me via my Folksy store
Other than crafting what else do you like to do
In my spare time I like to paint I write I stronglybelieve it is the simple things in life that count I am a collectorof anything old with a story and pick up anything found on the seashore First morning sunshine trawling antique treasure troves walks on the sand with my pooch Sepia tones and seeing life through a lens makes me happy I do a photographyfashion blog(laurabytheseatumblrcom) and am a very sociable person These are a fewof my favourite things and yes that should include raindrops on roses andbrown paper packages tied up with string
Where would you like to be in 5 years
In 5 years time I would love to be able to do this on a full time basis tomake enough money to live I am aiming to have my jewellery sold in manyUK wide independent stores and hopefully a few abroad However theultimate dream is to have my jewellery featured in Vogue
The first item I sold online was on my Folksy shop(httpwwwfolksycomshopsLaurabyTheSea) and was a vintage ceramic andbead brooch the buyer was very pleased with it and gave me great feedback
Where does your inspiration come from
My inspiration comes from trawling antique and vintage shops photography (one of my current favphotographers is Elizabeth Sarah from America) and I am always inspired by other people When Iget talking with my friends about anything creative the juices start flowing and I get more designideas I am also inspired and work along with music (anything from RampB amp Hip-hop to Reggae andJazz I have an eclectic mix)
What are your favourite materials and why
Vintage ceramics because I adore the vintage floral prints on the crockeryand like the idea of being as eco-friendly as possible and like to only userecycled materials in my jewellery
What is favourite shop online that isnrsquot yours and why
My favourite online shop has to be Loglike a contemporary gift and home ware store with vintageelements The owner makes cute candlesticks from vintage plates and saucers that look amazing onmy coffee table (see httpwwwfolksycomshopsLoglike)
Has any person helped or supported you more than any other
I would have to say my parents and Brother Not just financially when Iwas a poor struggling student but they are supportive with everything Ido in life and I just couldnrsquot do without them My brother is more like abest friend
Tell us a random fact about yourself
I have 23 dresses in my wardrobe and have a vinyl collection of mostly 1980rsquos music (my guiltypleasure)
httpwwwfolksycomshopsLaurabyTheSea
Visit
Lauraat
in the GardenHi Irsquom Tina
Good to have you visit with me again in The GardenI think we will sit in the conservatory this morning the sun is juststreaming in it is so wonderful to feel the warmth after such a coldwinter I have the kettle on and some little iced biscuits butremember we must not over indulge me especially as I have notbeen working in the garden so much just sitting in doors munching
Well Spring is here at last and it does seem to be in a hurrythis year the crab apple is already in bud and also the fruittrees
I had my own little piece of garden and the plants therewere in my charge if I forgot to water them and theydied mother would say you have to be responsible givethem a little care and you will be rewarded with so muchbeauty and as I look around the garden today thebeauty just takes my breath awayI checked out the herbs after the winter and just look atthis monster itrsquos the parsley how great is this
Here is a photo of the willow catkins or lambs tails as mymother used to call them she was a country woman andknew every wild flower by their old country names sheloved all nature and her garden and was my inspirationfrom an early age
wwwtina-in-the-gardenblogspotcom
Also I think that this flower is really confused it is of coursean antirrhinum when I emptied the summer bedding fromthe tubs some were still fine so I planted them in thegarden and as you can see have been well rewarded Alsosome silver foliage plants which I cannot remember thename of and of course have lost thelabel they seem to think that it isalready summer
At the moment you can get into the bog it does not look half as mysterious as it does inthe summer you can even see the streamMy better half and I have one or two projects this summer well I have theideas and he makes them work howlucky am I So watch this space
Oh you have to leave well thank you again for coming be safe until your next visit withme in The Garden
Your green fingered friendTina
The bluebells are coming throughin the wood not long now beforethey flower they have to hurrybefore the trees get their leaves
Creative CraftingAdvertise with
wwwcreative-craftingcomadvertisehtml
A mouse herecould take customers
to your store
We care about yourcraft business
Prices startfrom
only pound2
There are a lot of different crafts to choose fromThis series of articles will discover some of the more unusual and also some
old world crafts that may have been almost forgotten
This article was created by
The Crystal Ladyhttpwwwmysticearthcouk
Sold by Amazon
Knitting with Dog Hairby Anne Montgomery
Contains easy step-by-step instructions for collecting cleaningstoring and spinning your dogs fur The book includes originalknitting patterns for the novice and the pro - from mittens toshawls to lace collars from your cats hair
How to Knit a Dog Hair Sweater
E-How
The brushed undercoat of a dog is called chiengora and can be used for knittingcrocheting or felting just like lambs wool or other yarn Dogs hair has been used forcenturies for weaving blankets and other coverings Dogs hair is much warmer thanwool Here is how to knit a sweater from dog hair
After the tutorial the writer goes on to leave a warning that dog hair is much warmerthan wool and an entire garment made of dog hair will be too hot to wear
I also found a very fascinating article about a lady called Laurie Moy on the Boulder DailyCamera website
Better a sweater from a dog you know and love than from a sheepyoull never meet
Warp and woof-woof Making clothes out of dog hair
Read more Boulder Daily Camera
This was discovered in an American newspaper by Creative Craftings Tinawe just had to tell you about it
I did some Googling about this and apparently there is quite alot about it I found a tutorial on the popular E-How site
Irsquom sure like me yoursquoll find this quite fascinatingIf any of our spinners out there fancy a go atcreating some yarn from their pooches we wouldlove to see some of the results It is also a greatidea for recycling all of that fluff that you areconstantly sweeping up off your sofa or yourcarpet There really is a use for most things afterall
Salt dough is so quick and easy (and therapeutic) to make endlessly adaptable a joy to sharewith the kids and has the advantage of being made from store-cupboard basics (although youcould make these projects in clay or fimo or even plasticine)The drawbacks are that it takes a while to cookpaintvarnish it will dissolve in wet or very dampconditions and will break if you drop it So allow yourself a couple of days to produce a finishedpiece and varnish thoroughly when decorated to protect against any damage
Making a Batch of Salt Dough
1 Mug of Table Salt2 Mugs of Plain FlourApprox 1 Mug of Tepid Water (Add final frac14 slowly)1 Tablespoon of Olive or Vegetable Oil (Optional)
Mix the flour and salt together in a bowlIf you are using oil (which helps to add elasticity but is optional and not necessary) add it to themug of water Add the water (with or without oil) to the salt and flour mixAdd most of the water stirring into the dry ingredients with a wooden spoon Add the last of thewater carefully as you will need more or less depending on humidity and the gradequality of theflourYou need to add enough to bind the ingredients without making it too sticky Empty onto a lightlyfloured surface and knead for at least ten minutes until the dough is smooth and slightly warm
A Few Tips for Modelling Salt DoughRoll out salt dough onto a lightly floured surface with a floured rolling pin or you could use abottle if you havent got a rolling pin Gently flattening salt dough with the heels of your hands willwork too but keep moving the dough to keep it even and turn it over to the fresh smooth sidejust before you begin cutting shapesKeep the thickness of your pieces under an inch much thicker than this and they wont hardenproperly in the middleUse a sharp knife to cut salt dough shapes but a blunt knife (or the back of a knife) is useful whenmarking lines onto the dough A scalpel or craft knife is best for cutting out intricate shapesUse pastry cutters plasticine moulds forks hair grips scrubbing brushes experiment withanything you have lying around the house
Cooking Salt DoughCook your salt dough pieces slowly in a very low oven The cooler and slower the better to preventdistortion in the cooking process These pieces were cooked at 140275 degrees or Gas Mark 1 forapproximately 2 hours but I often leave them all day in the oven at its lowest setting
Heartmade Gifts
Decorating Salt DoughYou can decorate your pieces before or after the cooking process Try adding food colouringherbs and spices tea or coffee to your dough as you knead it Or try painting your uncooked piecewith an egg wash for a lovely golden glowExperiment with various mediums on cooked pieces Gouache and acrylics work well but posterpaint is fine (if a little limited in colour variation) and you could try chalks felt tips or crayonsUse glue to add decorations including glitter sequins fabric bows tiny scraps of paper etcIts nice to leave the dough perfectly natural sometimes and sometimes a combination of naturaldough and painted areas works very wellVarnish thoroughly Any varnish will work I tend to use a spray varnish as a first coat to set thepaints then I add a few coats of a super store own brand wood varnish (If you need yourfinished piece to be especially waterproof try yacht varnish but be aware that it will tend tochange the colours making them yellowish)Use a small brush to get into all the nooks and crannies and allow each coat to dry thoroughlybefore applying the next one The more coats you apply the better protected your final pieceHowever unvarnished salt dough I have made for personal use (or the odd forgotten piece) hassurvived very well even in a slightly damp old house So dont let a lack of varnish deter you fromtrying salt dough But if you are creating a family heirloom four or five coats of a good varnish willensure it lasts for yearsTry these two Easter projects the ldquoEgg-stra Specialrdquo eggs are very quick and simple enough to dowith small children the primrose basket takes a while and is a little fiddly but well worth tryingand very easy to adapt by choosing your own flower or perhaps some other motif
~ Egg-stra Special Eggs ~
1 Form an egg shape from a small ball of dough by rolling in your hands and pressthis gently onto your baking tray(Its easier to build your salt dough pieces directly onto the tray you will use tocook them rather than try and move them while they are still uncooked I havebuilt my eggs onto the kitchen surface because it will be easier for you to see whatIm doing)
2 Roll out a piece of salt dough and use it to cover the bottom end of youregg like a blanket When you are happy with the position gently lift andrun a wet paintbrush between the two pieces to glue them together
3 Cut out an egg cup shape around your egg
4 Use a damp paintbrush to push the egg cup onto the eggand ensure it sticks
(A damp paintbrush also helps soften edges and blend any creases or cracks)
5 Uncurl an old metal paperclip and push into the dough to form a hangingloop You can use a piece of any wire I try and use paperclips or a piece of wire
coat-hanger as I like to recycle An alternative hanging method is to create a smallhole (or two holes for larger pieces) and thread a ribbon or piece of leather shoelacethrough the hole tying it to make a loop)
6 Cut out a small bow shape from a piece of flattened dough
7 Cut two ribbon ends from a rectangle of flattened dough
8 Use a wet paintbrush to layer the ribbon ends onto thetop of your egg
9 Attach the bow in position And add a small piece to the centre ofthe bow to finish
10 Cook
11 Decorate in whatever way takes your fancy hellip have fun
~ Primrose Basket ~
1 Cover a bowl in greaseproof paper and turn upside down onto your baking tray
2 Roll out some dough to approx 5mm thickness and cut into thin stripslong enough to cover your bowl
3 Lay four of these strips across the bottom ofyour bowl
4 Begin weaving four in the opposite direction by gently liftingalternate strips out of the way laying the cross strip and replacingthe lifted strips
5 Then add one strip to each side until you reach the edge of the bowl
6 Trim the edge with a knife or fold the stripsback to form a rough bowl lip You can indentsomething on the dough to secure anddecorate
7 Cook
8 Carefully remove the bowl and paper
9 Make primrose flowers and leaves and glue them to the rim with a wetpaintbrush replacing your bowl in the oven for a short whileLeaves ndash cut rough leaf shapes out of a piece of flatted dough and mark theveins and indent the edges with the back of a knifeFlowers ndash use a small heart cutter to cut 5 heart shapes and place on the rim with pointstogether indenting the centre with your fingertip and then marking with the end of a paintbrushPaint with whichever medium you prefer or have to hand I have used acrylics here leaving thebasket natural and painting the primrose leaves green and the flowers yellow adding someorange to the centres of the flowers while the yellow is still damp for a blurred effect
This article was written by Diannefrom Heartmade Gifts
Join Heartmade Gifts on Facebook
wwwheartmadegiftswordpresscom
Lilac Lace Heart LocketJewellery by Bina
Vintage Victorian StyledSweetheart Locket
Miss Bohemia
pound17
pound15
Emerald Bewitched
youmin
$40
The Bright Forest Locket
marisolspoon
$35
Cameral Locket
mydogandi
$2750
Creative CraftingFavourite
This article was created by
The Crystal Ladyhttpwwwmysticearthcouk
Lockets may sound very old fashioned but if you have a wander through thehandmade sites you will find a wealth of very modern and extremely beautifuldesigns Perfect for you to carry your loved ones with you wherever you go
Bee Joyful LocketThe Whimsical Wren
pound10
SteampunkWatch Mechanism
Locketedmdesigns
$85
Luscious LocketsLuscious Lockets
Who likes Chocolate CakeThis is a great recipe for Easter Mothers day or any other daylets admit it we all love chocolate
Ingredients
7 oz self raising flour8 oz caster sugar1 teaspoon of salt2 tablespoons of cocoa powder4 oz margarine2 eggs beaten with5 tablespoons evaporated milk5 tablespoons water1 teaspoon vanilla essence
1 Sift together flour sugar and salt and cocoa2 Rub in margarine3 Stir in eggs essence and liquids then beat well4 Grease and flour 2 8 inch cake tins divide the mixture between them5 Bake in a moderate over 325-350 F gas mark 3 about 35 minutes6 When cold sandwich together and cover in milk chocolate icing
Milk chocolate Icing
Ingredients
2 and a half oz margarine or butter4 tablespoons cocoa8 oz sieved icing sugar3 tablespoons hot milk1 teaspoon vanilla essence
Melt the margarine or butter and blend incocoa powder then stir in icing sugar milkand vanilla essence Beat until smooth andthick
We hope you all enjoy the recipe we would love to see anypictures of chocolate cakes that you make
Instructions
Instructions
Written and reviewed by Peggyrsquos Knitshttppeggyscollectionwebscom
By Sprinkles Sparkleshttpwwwsprinklessparklescouk
All prices are correct at the time of publication
Budget amp LuxurySpring special
Woodland DaffodilsCharm Bracelet
Coco Angel Rosepound1600
Spring Flower Hair ClipFlutter2me
pound450
Spring flowers broochDi Does Craft
pound800
Pink Spring Clutchfunky diva designs
pound1750
Cupcake BuntingCotton Cottage
pound1650
Purple TulipsWildrose Ridge
pound350
Chickadees and LilacsStained Glass WindowStained Glass Addie
pound4940
The Charlotte - SageRosalind Jamespound14500
Springtime 16 Crayon RollApple n Amos
pound509
Buttercup earrings in softyellow with peridot and brass
Goblins Marketpound401
Springtime DalaFolk Horse HangingDecoration - YellowCourt and Spark
pound400
D A P H N E - BrokenChina Plate Pendant
and Sterling Silver NecklaceDesigns by Mila
pound2228
To make the leaves
Using DK yarn and 300 mm hook make 5 leaves as follows
Rnd 1 9ch dc in 2nd ch 1htr in next ch 1tr in each of next 6ch 3ch ss in base of last tr worked
Now work on opposite side of stitches by turning the work
Rnd 2 3ch 1tr in each of next 6ch 1htr in next ch dc ss in top of first stFasten off and sew in loose ends
Materials
Small quantity of DK yarn I have used a yarn with awool-mix but any DK yarn of your choice will be suitableSmall quantity of kid mohair yarn (use two strands together)300 mm hook200 mm hookOne large buttonBrooch pinSewing needle
To make the small rose
Using a 200 mm hook and working two strands of kid mohair yarn together 13ch
Rnd 1 1tr 2ch 1tr in 4th ch (skip 2ch 1tr 2ch 1tr in next ch) 3 times (4 v- spaces)
Rnd 2 3ch 6tr into next v-space 1dc into space between v-spaces Continue with 6tr into eachv-space and 1dc in between spaces until end ss into last ch Fasten off
Roll the work with fingers from start to finish to create a small rose flower and sew together at thebase
Assembling the brooch
Turn the flower so the right side is facing up and sew the button in the centre of the flowerAttach the rose to the centre of the button as shown in diagram Sew a brooch pin to the back of theflower to complete the brooch
Arrange the 5 leaves to form a circle so thecorners of the leaves are touching Sew eachcorner together to form the petals of aflower
Turn the work so the wrong side is facing upand close the hole by sewing together withthe same DK yarn used to make the leaves
Crochet Flower Brooch
ch - chain stitchdc - double crochethtr - half treble crochetss - slip stitchtr - treble crochetst - stitch
Crochet Mobile PhoneiPod Cosy
Materials
50g Dk yarn in mustard colourSmall quantity of DK yarn in bright pink for picot edgingof cosy and small roseSmall quantity of DK yarn in sage green for leaves of roseflowerSize 300mm hook
Instructions for the cosy
The cosy can be made to fit a mobile phoneiPod of your choice
Pattern note the pattern is worked in dc throughout and worked in the round using the tapestrycrochet method of crochet This involves carrying a second yarn below the first making it verystrong
Foundation row
Using one strand of DK yarn in mustard make a chain that measures the width of your mobilephoneipod
Rnd 1 dc across row until the last chain 2dc in last chain Turn work
Rnd 2 Begin to carry a second strand of mustard yarn throughouteach round and every round from now on This yarn is not worked butcarried below the first strand of yarn
Work along the opposite side of the row just worked 1dc in first ch1ch in each chain until the last chain 2dc in last chain Now mark thelast stitch just worked with a different colour yarn so you can see theend of the round and keep moving this marker up to the last stitchworked
Rnd 3 Dc in each chain around working in spirals moving the stitchmarker as the piece grows Continue until the work measures thedesired length to fit the mobileiPod Fasten off and tie in loose ends
ch - chain stitchdc - double crochethtr - half treble crochetss - slip stitchtr - treble crochetst - stitch
Instructions for rose flower
Rnd 1 Using DK yarn in bright pink 1tr 2ch 1tr in 4th ch (skip 2ch1tr 2ch 1tr in next ch) 3 times (4 v- spaces)
Rnd 2 3ch 6tr into next v-space 1dc into space between v-spacesContinue with 6tr into each v-space and 1dc in between spaces untilend ss into last ch Fasten off
Roll the work with fingers from start to finish to create a small rose flower and sew together at thebase
Instructions for leaves
Using DK yarn and 300mm hook make 2 leaves as follows
Rnd 1 5ch dc in 2nd ch 1htr in next ch 1tr in each of next 2ch 3ch ss in base of last tr workedNow work on opposite side of stitches by turning the work
Rnd 2 3ch 1tr in each of next 2 ch 1htr in next ch dc ss in top of first st Fasten off and sew inloose ends
Assembly
Sew the leaves to the reverse of the rose and attach to the cosy as shown in the picture
Picot edging
Rnd 1 Using DK yarn in bright pink dc into each stitch around the edge of the cosy opening ss tofirst dc
Rnd 2 3ch ss into 2nd chain from hook ss into base of 3ch dc into next 2ch 3ch continuefrom to ss into last ch Fasten off and sew in loose ends
Written by Andrea Lesley Crochethttpwwwfolksycomshopsandrealesleycrochet
Materials
T - shirt - colour your choiceScissorsChainSewing needle and threadCorsage or embellishments
Step 1 First get a plain whitet-shirt
Step 2 Then cut off the neck Step 3 Now sew two pieces of chain to each side of where theneckline should be
Step 4 Cut a triangle out ofthe bottom of the t-shirt
Step 5 Tie the two ends thatare left into a knot or bow
Step 6 Finally add a corsageor flower to the front
Step 7 Now you have a bang on trend crop top simply wear over a vest top I loved designing andgokking up this t-shirt it took minutes and didnt cost a lot either
Corsage made by Madam SalamihttpwwwetsycomshopMadamSalami
Written By Heidi Jackson
Favourite finds from around the crafting communityThis months focus is Easter and Spring
Click on the images to take you to their store
Online StreetMISI
Ring With A FlowerBlue Fish Handmade
pound800
Spring necklace in glassand sterling silver
RosieJo Jewellerypound1275
Easter Eggs CardNaomi Constable
pound250
FOLKSY
Easter rabbit cushionwith choccie eggs
Phoebelinas Treasurespound500
Easter Knitted BagsFluerette
pound300
Small Gorgeous FeltSpring Bouquets
Spare Minute Productionspound2000
WOW THANK YOU
Green And Brown PetalFlower Bracelet
Sprinkles Sparklespound3750 inc pampp
Handmade Pink Canvas Wall Art(Set of 3)
Craft on Canvaspound3900 inc pampp
Blue Easter ChickDharmapaintings
pound12 20 inc pampp
All prices correct at the time of publication
Favourite finds from around the crafting communityThis months focus is Easter and Spring
Click on the images to take you to their store
Best PicksUGLY BE GONE
Handpainted DottyDolly Pegs
Ticketty Boopound650
Quirky Motifs ShopperRachael Taylor
pound1500
Collette the Cow BibBaby Boutique
pound1100
The Cutie Pie - recycledpaper butterfly shadow boxThe WingSpan Collection
pound6421
Easter 1 Square PendantHappy Easter Spring Flowers
Miss Gooseberry Pendantspound321
ETSY
RETROEasterplastic springfling daisy clip-on earringsamber brown makes art
pound208ARTFIRE
Easter Egg Mini Cards 2x2 6Peculiar Parchment
pound170
Spring Chicks - Little FusedGlass Dish - Easter Gift
First Light Glasspound926
4 Chocolate Easter ParadeBunny Lollipops extra large
Candy Cottagepound741
All prices correct at the time of publication
What you will need3 x 10 inch lengths of purple Cylon cord10mm silver plated lobster clasp and clasp tag2 x silver plated fold over necklace endsApprox 24 Rose Quartz gemstone chip beads(holes need to be large enough to thread onelength of the cylon cord though)2 x 4mm silver plated jump rings
Rose Quartz is the stone of unconditionalloveIt purifies and opens the heart helping thewearer to love themselves as well as others
Rose Quartz draws off negative energy andhelps release unexpressed emotions
Encourages self forgiveness and acceptanceaids self trust and self worth
I find it easier to use a macrame board for making this type of bracelet as it make it easier tokeep the design neat but its not essential I use a simple board made from a cork notice boardand pins I also use nylon nosed pliers to fold over the necklace ends as I find metal pliers oftenleave marks but again they arent essential
Step 2 Thread a chip bead onto each of the outer lengths ofcord
Step 3 Cross the outer cordsover the middle one as youwould in a braid Then braid thecords again
Step 1 Attach one of thenecklace ends to one end ofthe three lengths of CyloncordYou can then use the hole inthe end to attach the braceletto your board
Make a Rose Quartz Bracelet
Step 6 Attach the secondnecklace end to the three cordwithout cutting them as it makesit easier The ends can then betrimmed with a craft knife orsharp scissors
Step 7 Using the jump ringsattach the clasp to one end ofthe bracelet and the clasp tagto the other
Step 4 Thread two chip beadson to the new outer lengths ofcord and braid as in the previousstep
Step 5 Repeat step three and four untilthe bracelet reaches seven inchesor your desired length
(The clasp section will measureapproximately one inch)
If the cord ends become frayed they canbe fixed with a little super glue
Step 8 And there you areOne finished rose quartzbracelet
Would you like to share a craft project with Creative Crafting
Let us know what project you would like toshare with us
Anything from jewellery knitting and crochetcrafts paper crafts or a craft you feel hasbeen forgotten about
Email thecrystalladycreative-craftingcom
Written by Elderberry Artshttpwwwelderberryartscouk
To those who are not yet aware Prince William and Kate Middleton will tie the knot this month onFriday 29th April in a quiet little ceremony at Westminster Abbey To some this may mean getting aday off to celebrate the nuptials or actually attend the whole affair To others like myself who areself-employed there will be no day off and hence little difference from a normal day but we can stillbe happy for the two love birds entering a state of marital bliss for the first timeIn these uncertain economic times I am not sure how the Royal Wedding will affect the economyhow much money will people want to spend Will this mean street parties like those that dominatemany peoplersquos memories from Prince Charles and Dianarsquos wedding back in 1981 Will there be arush to purchase ridiculously crass lsquosouvenirrsquo mugs plates tea towels or will the market just not bethere at all with all the unsold Royal Wedding goods in the pound shops by JuneThe handmade and crafting sector needs to be aware of the sales potential created by this Royalevent and so products should be made available to support the celebrations and possibly make thecountry feel good about itself again Maybe a lovely warm spring day in April will be good for thecountry and make it forget its economic woes for a few hoursWe asked a number of our sellers about their experience of the last big Royal Wedding (Charles andDiana) and what they are going to do this time to celebrate There were mixed feelings ndash manywere too young to remember much about the 1981 event and even though I remember a day offfrom school I cannot remember any street parties or spontaneous Mardi Gras This time around Ithink money will be a big factor and most people will not stray too far from a bit of home baking inred white and blue and also a show of patriotic bunting Union Jacks are quite the lsquoin thingrsquo at themoment for interior design and so a patriotic statement may double as being hip and trendy
Kim Lampard of Zigzag Bunting thinks a great way tocelebrate the Royal Wedding is to make your own buntingShe suggests pulling together a pile of fabrics that you nolonger need but that hold cherished memories for you forexample your daughterrsquos first cute dress a tea-towel youbought on a special holiday an old bedspread made by your
Granny Even if the items are damaged so cannot be passed on to others there is always a littlecorner that can be cut up into a triangle to make a bunting flag Mix a few of these together and ifyou have enough for a colour scheme (such as red white and blue) fine but donrsquot worry the flagsdonrsquot even need to be the same size Sometimes a shabby chic lsquoMix and Matchrsquo approach turns outto be perfect Sew the fabric triangles onto a piece of ribbon or bias tape and you will have awonderful string of bunting to decorate for the special day You and your family will remember notonly the Royal Wedding when you bring out that bunting but have extra glimpses of their past inthe fabrics Definitely a memento to cherish
Gaye Weekes of A amp V Designs now lives in Snowdonia North Wales and onlyan hour away from Anglesey where the Royal couple will begin their marriedlife She has no doubt had that His Highness has been hovering over theirremote valley in his helicopter over recent months Gaye plans to be flying redwhite and green Welsh bunting for the wedding Her bunting is made fromvintage fabric from the 1950s and 1960s - a cotton heavy woven greenand cream floral and a jolly red and white gingham She adds ldquo
rdquo
This article was written by
from
httpwwwwowthankyoucouk
Karine Ait-Mohamed of The Pink Fairy Cake isFrench but now lives in England She says ldquo
rdquo In the spirit of the occasion Karinehas produced a product that combines both England and France into the celebration Shehas produced sets of two Union Jack hearts filled with lavender from Chateau la Gabelle inHaute-Provence
Lisa MacDonald of LisaMollyMacDonaldis quite enthusiastic about the weddingand getting caught up in the glamour of the
occasion ldquo
rdquo
Lou Carswell of Loubie Jewels has some prettyfantastic red white and blue jewellery which wouldbe suitable for a Royal wedding celebration She told
us ldquo
rdquo
So what can we gather from these observations It will be a nice idea to celebrate the RoyalWedding If we apply a little lsquowartimersquo austerity (handmade lends itself to recycling andupcycling) we shouldnrsquot have to spend a fortune We can step back from commercialism andbe involved in a low key but meaningful way that will make the event more memorable for itssimplicity and just a little thrift God Bless William and Kate
Tell us about yourself
My name is Sandra Ritchie I live in Cleethorpes UK with my husbandJason my 10 year old daughter Alisha my 2 year old son Alfred andour dog Dumbledore Primarily I am a housewife but in my sparetime I make jewellery of all kinds from beaded pieces to metal workbut mainly I make custom-made bespoke precious metal jewellery
When did your crafting begin and why
Many years ago I studied Jewellery and Metal Art at college andover time Ive collected the tools I needed but never got round tosetting up a workroom until 2009 when my Husband pointed outthat our Utility Room would be perfect for me to set up as aworkroom to start making jewellery again It seemed ideal Ialready had people interested in me making them some jewelleryand it meant I could stay at home and look after the children as wellas try to establish a name for myself as a Jewellery designermaker
What was the first item you made to sell online
The first item I made to sell whilst not specifically to sell online was asilver octopus necklace commissioned by an acquaintance of mine thathad seen the silver octopus necklace that I made for myself whilst atcollege and wanted one like it She has since purchased the silver andcopper entwined Dragon necklace and a commissioned silver Dragonand is back on my list for another piece to be made My number onefan I think
What is your biggest crafting achievement and why
I love all the pieces Ive created especially my Custom work but myfavourite piece of all is the Greenman necklace I was approached tomake something as a surprise for someone and was basically giventhe opportunity to produce something different to my usual pieces Ilove making pieces that are based on peoples ideas of what theywant that is really special but the Greenman necklace was mydesign based on what the customer wanted it to represent I had toteach myself etching for the piece as its something Id never learntand Im really pleased with how it worked out
Other than crafting what else do you like to do
I love spending time with my children and family I love baking andcooking too and I suppose I should admit to enjoying the oddrelaxing glass (or bottle) of nice wine when the children are in bed
wwwlittlefairycultcouk
Where would you like to be in 5 years
In 5 years time Id love to be in a better financial position so I canbuy silver and make silver jewellery to sell that isnt just Custom-made Ive started sneaking a few pieces of precious metal jewellerythat are for general sale onto my site
Where does your inspiration come from
My inspiration is usually from the customers themselves They tell mewhat it is they want and I design a piece to reflect that Sometimes theyalter the design slightly to reflect more of how they want it and that isfine For my bead jewellery its usually what beads I have in myworkroom that inspire my beaded pieces I very rarely buy beads for thereason that I have a design idea and usually just buy mixed lots of beadsand work with what I have
What are your favourite materials and why
I really love working with precious metals There is somethinguniquely satisfying about taking a flat sheet of metal and turning itinto a beautiful piece of jewellery Thats why I take pictures of thepieces as I am making them so that other people and the customerwhos item it is can enjoy seeing it progress from a blank piece ofprecious metal into the finished piece
What is favourite shop online that isnrsquot yours and why
Oh my There are so many amazing websites offering beautiful andunique handmade items but I will always take a look at Etsy to see ifthere is anything that catches my eye on there They have such a largevariety of designerssellers making almost everything but the kitchen sink(though I bet if you looked hard enough youd find one on there) Ireally enjoy the little treasuries they do too where you can browse aselection of items that are grouped together by themes
Has any person helped or supported you more than any other
I have had a lot of support from the good friends I have gained on Twitter and of coursemy real life friends have been extremely supportive too but the main reason I actuallysorted out my workroom (or corner of the utility room) was due to my husband insistingthat I start making jewellery again Luckily his insistence and support paid off virtuallystraight away when a friend asked for the octopus necklace I mentioned earlier to bemade
Tell us a random fact about yourself
I have known the sex of each child and whether Id be carrying one or more before I evenconceived them Fairly random but fact nevertheless
Kit includes seed beads 5 x handmade glass beads choker wire x 3 banglewire x 2 ring wire x 3 jewellery pliers beading mat instructions
Makes 8 fabulous and individual pieces of jewellery without the need forfiddly findings books or other money-wasters
Beaded Jewellery Kitpound12Japan Crafts
A coordinating selection of beads plus step-by-step full colour instructions to make your own version of the Jungle Collar design Learn how to work peyote stitch edge it with drops and embellish it with a lush fringe and beaded flowers and leaves Let your beading imagination run wild
Each kit is hand-picked and slightly different so the beads you receive may not be the exact onesshown in the photograph but you can be certain that your necklace will be uniqueThe kit comes carefully packaged in a handy reusable storage box the only things yoursquoll need inaddition are a beading needle a spool of nylon beading thread and some sharp scissors
Beadweaving Kit for Jungle Collar
pound38Lynn Davy
Fairy Earrings Jewellery Making Kit - Ages 7yrs+
pound5Jewellery Making Kits
These single kits are fabulous for all crafty and creative girls They also make great presents for school friends nieces sisters or even grown ups Each kit includes Sterling Silver earwires or studs a small selection of flowers for the skirt a pair of wings a few coloured glass pearls for the heads silver headpin Organza Bag Full set of instructionsSuitable for ages 7 years and up Requires a pair of pliers to finish off - all instructions included
Bracelet Kit - Chunky Swarovski Pearl and Crystal with Toggle Clasp
pound750Wonderstuff Craft Kits
A little kit of bronze Swarovski pearls and Golden Shadow Swarovski crystals silk and toggle clasp
Kit includes 11 x Swarovski 12mm Pearls Colour - Soft Bronze 3 x Swarovski Crystal 8mm Rondelles - Colour - Golden Shadow 8 x Swarovski Crystal 4mmBicones Colour - Light Colorado Topaz 1 x Silver Plated Toggle Bar 1 x Silver plated Toggle RingBracelet length of threading silk Instructions
This kit contains top quality beads to make an exquisite braceletno special tools are needed
Jewellery making kits
from the small crafterWersquove found a selection of wonderful beading kits for allages and experience These are not massed producedsets but offered by the small crafter
This article was created by The Crystal Lady httpwwwmysticearthcouk
This Months
This months lsquoMan of the Monthrsquo is Ade (Adrian)EdmondsonChosen by MegampMillie
This months lsquoLady of the Monthrsquo is GwenStefaniChosen by Claire Pearcy from Elderberry Arts
httpwwwgwenstefanicom
httpwwwunrealitytvcouklets-dance-for-comic-relieflets-dance-for-comic-relief-results-ade-edmondson-and-eighties-super-group-make-next-weeks-final
(Nothing like an April Fools)
This months lsquoBlog of the Month Awardrsquo goes to lsquoItrsquos All Fiddle Fartrsquo
httpitsallfiddlefartblogspotcom
This months lsquoShop of the Month Awardrsquo goes to lsquoJulias DriftwoodFurniturersquo
httpwwwfolksycomshopsseasandview123
ww
wc
reativ
e-cr
afting
co
mw
ww
cr
eative-c
on
nec
tion
snin
gc
om
CREATIVE CRAFTING
Our next issue will be available to read on
1st June 2010If you have missed any of our issues you
can find them to read on our websitewwwcreative-craftingcom
And also on our Social Network Creative Connectionswwwcreative-connectionsningcom
To advertise in Creative Crafting or to submit an article please contact Annaat thecrystalladycreative-craftingcom
AUGUSTSUMMER 2010
Issue 5
By Crafters for Crafters
Check out our
CraftersDirectory
CREATIVE CRAFTING
By Crafters for Crafters
Issue 3
ValentinesMothers Day 2010
HandcraftedWeddingSpecial
Valentine ampMothers Day
Projects
Have youbeen
featured
By Crafters for Crafters
Issue 3ValentinesMothers Day 2010
Handcrafted
Wedding
SpecialValentine amp
Mothers Day
ProjectsHave you
been
featured
By
EASTER 2010
Issue 4
FATHERS DAY 2010
Issue 4
By Crafters for Crafters
Ch
eck out our
Craft
ersDirectory
AUGUSTSUMMER 2
010
Issu
e 5
By Craf
ters fo
r Craf
ters
Chec
k out our
Crafters
Directory
CREATIVE
C
RAFTINGAU
TUM
N H
ALLO
WEE
N 201
0Is
sue
7
CREA
TIVE
CRAF
TIN
G
By Craf
ters f
or C
rafter
s
Chec
k
out our
Craft
ersDirect
ory
An
niv
ersa
ry
Issu
e
Donrsquot forget
All of our links andadverts are fullyclickable
If you would like to embed our magazine into your website blog myspace page etc you can
customise the code to suit your style and size
AUTUMN HALLOWEEN 2010
Issue 7CREATIVE CRAFTING
By Crafters for Crafters
Check out our
CraftersDirectory
Anniversary
Issue
CHRISTMAS 2010
Issue 8
By Crafters for Crafters
FATHERS DAY 2010
Issue 4
By Crafters for Crafters
Check out our
Crafters
Directory
EASTER 2010
Issue 4
By Crafters for Crafters
By Crafters for Crafters
VALENTINES 2011Issue 9
CREATIVE CRAFTING
Mother Nature has provided us withwonderful Healing Gemstones and Minerals
PeridotFor this Issue discover the beauty of
(MgFe)2(SiO4)+AlCaMnNiCoCrTi
If you would likemore information about
Crystal Healing Jewelleryyou can contact
The Crystal Lady atthecrystalladymysticearthcouk
httpwwwmysticearthcoukor visit
In the Middle Ages Peridot was employed for warding off evil spiritsand to bestow wisdom and friendship
Mentally -Dissolves oppressive feelings that arise from self-blameAllows us to forgive ourselves
Physically - Peridot has a strong detoxifying effect and stimulates the liverEnhances the liver and gallbladder helps with skin problems even warts
Chakra - Heart Solar Plexus
Peridot Mini Hair Comb
pound14
Lime Crush
pound35Victorian Sterling Silver
Peridot Ring
$38
Chocolate Pearl and PeridotNecklace
$78Jasper Peridot Rhyolite
and Pearl Necklace
pound45
Peridot Chip Bracelet
pound7
As a woman in the UK today if you attend a wedding or the races andparticularly if you are lucky enough to go to Ladies Day at Royal Ascotthen it is usually expected that you should wear a hat or nowadaysa fascinator
If you want to get ahead get a hat
People have always worn hats in someform whether as a protective head covering oras a mark of status within society hats have alwayshad their place In the 15th century it was expectedthat women keep their hair covered wearing veilsand wimples and refashioned male hats were alsopopular
But it was not until the 17th century that womenrsquosheadwear began to take the familiar shape that it does today Bonnetsbecame increasingly popular and at times could be extremely elaboratetrimmed with ribbons lace and feathers
The term lsquomillinerrsquo meaning a maker of womenrsquos hats refers to products derived from Milan andNorthern Italy such as the straws and ribbons used in the making of hats
The haberdashers who imported of these products were known as lsquoMillanersrsquo from which we getthis term The first use of the term in the UK was in the 1700rsquos
Hats were extremely popular at the turn of the 20th century not only forspecial occasions Victorian hats were large brimmed and ornatelydecorated with flowers feathers ribbons and beads The austerity of theSecond World War led to their eventual decline as an everyday pieceof a womanrsquos wardrobe
Nowadays hats and the ever popular fascinator are seeing a resurgencenot in the least thanks to the influences of women such as Sarah JessicaParker Paloma Faith and of course Kate Middleton
Choosing a hat or fascinator needs careful consideration Height faceshape and personality all play a part in shaping your decision A boldfascinator is a statement piece and is certainly not for the shy
Everyone can wear some type of hat or fascinator its just a matter of finding the right one to suityou
There are some amazing British professional milliners working today not least including thelikes of Stephen Jones and Phillip Treacy but you will also find in the UK some wonderful millinersselling their designs on Etsy each producing unique designs to put the perfect finish to any outfitwhatever the occasion
Off With Her Head is run by self taught designer and milliner Lisa Poolewhose designs are fuelled by a love of vintage fashion and moviecostumes
Based in Fife Scotland she prides herself on creating each piece by handand loves to create bespoke pieces for her customers
Off With Her Head focuses on creating vintage inspired pieces andalthough Lisa creates hats and fascinators from various eras in historyshe admits to being a little biased towards the 1950rsquos as its her favouritedecade for fashion
Whatever direction Off With Her Head takes the ethos behind the businessremains the same - quality hats and fascinators at a reasonable price
Off With Her Head ndash Vintage Inspired Millinery
Etsy Store httpwwwetsycomshopmadamequeenyWebsite wwwoffwithherheadcouk
Annalisa Maria Millinery
Annalisa of Annalisa Maria Millinery has always adored hats andbeing the type of person who loves to make things she quitenaturally became interested in millinery
Trained at Kensington and Chelsea college famous for itsmillinery alumni where she learnt all the basics of the trade
She now works out of her London home producing beautifulone of a kind hats and head pieces
Etsy Store wwwetsycomshopdesignsbyannalisa
With so much choice there is absolutely no excuse not to finish your outfit with stunning hatfascinator or headpiecehellip and as they say
Written By Lisa PooleFrom Off With Her Headwwwoffwithherheadcouk
Ella Gajewska is a professional milliner working in London Hats are thelove of her life She has been working as a milliner since 1996 thoughher passion for hats started much earlier in her childhood when Ellacreated hats for her dolls to give them a bit more of an extravagantlook
Having achieved success in Poland where she was a milliners ateliermanager and an inspiring teacher for other young milliners she decidedto take her chances in London the world capital of hats
Since 2001 Ella Gajewska has had the chance of working for renownedateliers and milliners Working in England alongside the best designersof various head wear she has had the chance to develop and perfecther skills even more
Ella Gajewska
Etsy Store wwwetsycomshopEllaGajewskaWebsite wwwellagajewskacom
Little Miss B Design
Little Miss B started out making hats and accessories for herselfand friends uninspired by what was available on the high streetShe decided that shersquod like to give a wider audience the chanceto own a unique Little Miss B creation so began her foray intofashion and millinery
Her inspirations comes from days gone by when style andglamour were more apparent and the quality of craftsmanshipwas high From the 1920s to the 1960s vintage to rockabillyLittle Miss B brings it to the present day with a modern twist
Etsy Store httpwwwetsycomshopLittleMissBDesign
Ive always been artistic in one form or another As a child I always paintedand drew a lot At school I did everything from make a wooden fish pencilholder perspex badges pottery and childrens toys I was very into pencildrawings and shading but I loved using watercolour and other textures formy more cartoonManga style art
I was never very good at what back then was deemed the Girlie stuff I wasmore into woodwork and moulding and graphics This is probably what mademe choose my Bachelor of Science Degree in Architectural Technology Formy degree we used a lot of CAD (Computer Aided Design) to design buildings and building materialsWe also had to craft models of some of our own designs with foam board and other materials I wasin my element with this part of the curriculum
The great thing about craftdesignmaking things - whatever you want to call it is that there is a freedom in Art that you do not get anywhere else There is no right and wrong and no rules The rules come later At the point of concept it is just you and your imagination Which is very liberating and also quite scary because we are conditioned to think within the constraints of rules Art has no rules
Dianes Celebrity ChatsOur lovely Di from Peggyrsquos Knits chats to another celebrity about crafting
Tanya has worked on a number of shows the most recent being the character Adele Alfrey in ITVrsquos Emmerdale She has also worked on other familiar shows with awardwinning producers directors and writers She starred in the BBCcomedy Kerching Her first professional role was in Holby CityShe is also an accomplished presenter and budding playwrightTanya is a former student of the National Youth TheatreTanya told me how she has been artistic about how she sees artand her views on crafting
Please all take a look at Tanyarsquos website which ishttpwwwtanyavitalcom
What you will needFleece material - To determine the size needed- measure the circumference of your head(around your ears) and add 12 inch for seamallowance This will be the width and the lengthmeasurement is 20 inchesCotton thread in the same or contrasting colour
Average Head Sizes -
Newborn (6 months and younger)Circumference 14 to 17 inchesCrown 8 to 10 inches
Infant (6 to 12 months)Circumference 16 to 19 inchesCrown 11 to 12 inches
Child (12 months to 3 years)Circumference 18 to 20 inchesCrown 11 to 12 inches
Step 1 Lay out your fleece on a flat surface anddraw out a rectangle using the measurements forthe hat size required This should be 20 inches longand the width will be the circumference measurementof the size hat your making plus 12 inch seamallowance So to make a hat for a child with a headcircumference of 15 inches the width should be15 12 inches
Claire from Elderberry Arts shows us how to make achildrens hat from fleece material
Why not experiment this Easter holiday
Below are easy to follow instructions and a sizing guide
Thin length of fleece approx 12 inches by12 inchRuler or tape measureTailors chalk or penScissorsPinsSewing needles or sewing machine
Elderberrry Arts
Step 4 Place the right sides of the fleecetogether and pin along the length of thematerial Sew along this edge either by handor machine Knot ends and sewing inside thehem You can trim this hem to make it even andneater if needed
Step 5 Turn the hat right side out andarrange it so the seam is in the middleback From the bottom of your hatmeasure the crown length and place thefleece strip under the hat at this point
Step 6 Tie the ends of thestrip together and pull tightto gather hat
Step 7 Now cut the topsection of the hat into stripsapproximately 12 inch wide
Once youve cut all the wayround the strips can be trimmedto shorten them if required
You could also thread plastic ponybeads on some or all of the stripsknotting the bottom to secure them
Step 2 Cut out the rectangleof fleece Then cut a strip 12inches by 12 inch of fleecefrom the leftover material
Step 3 Pin a hem approx12 inch wide across theshorter length of fleece
Sew either by hand or machineKnot ends and sewing insidethe hem
Written by Elderberry Artshttpwwwelderberryartscouk
Rug Making Ragtag RugsWith
Looking for something fabulous to make using all your old T-shirts sweat shirts and other disusedgarments If so this could be the project for you
The craft of making rag rugs is very traditional and dates backto the mid eighteen hundreds itrsquos still very relevant today whatwith the importance of recycling the other great thing aboutit is that the design on the rug can pretty much be whateveryou want it to be - an image of your pet or your house anabstract or geometric design or something floral traditionalhellip itrsquos totally up to you and your imagination
The technique Irsquoll be using for this project is a method calledlsquohookingrsquo which is very simple and produces a soft and hardwearing pile Irsquove tried to keep everything simple and equipment to a minimum so that everyone canhave a go My favourite fabrics to use are the afore mentioned T-shirts and sweat shirts as they frayvery little but most textiles of a medium thickness can be used
MaterialsVirtually any material can be used in a rag rug some materials are easier to work with than othersThe best materials to use for hooking include T-shirts sweat shirts lightweight cottonssynthetics amplightweight woolsynthetic jumpers Fabrics such as heavy weight denim are not suitableFor this project Irsquove used plain fabrics but patterned fabrics can also be used
HookingStep 1 Working with the Hessian design side up poke the hook through the Hessian and grab thestrip of fabric underneath with the hook
Step 2 Pull the end of the strip of fabric up through the Hessian so that you leave a tail of at least1 cm sticking up
Step 3 Move the hook along about half a centimeter poke it back down through the Hessian andpull a loop of fabric up through to the top of the Hessian a loop height of about 1 cm is best thenjust repeat this technique filling in the required area when you reach the end of a fabric strip pullthe end up through the Hessian and trim it so itrsquos the same height as the loopsMake sure your loops are dense enough and you canrsquot see any of the Hessian backing There is noneed to physically fix the loops in place as they will stay put automatically due to the thickness ofThe fabric and the denseness of the loops
What you will needA piece of Hessian measuring 90 cm x 110 cmSelection of fabrics cut into strips measuring1 - 2 cm wide depending on the thickness ofthe fabric and avoid any seamsRug hookDressmakers pinsScissors
Large-eyed needleBall of woolMarker penYard stick metre ruler2 sheets of thin A4 card or a flattened cereal packetCompassPencil
Ragtag Rugs Rug Making Ragtag RugsWith
Step 1 Using the compass and pencildraw two circles measuring 185 cmacross on the sheets of card and cut theseout using the scissors
Step 2 Using the marker pen and metre rule draw a rectangle on the piece of Hessian measuring63 cm x 84 cm leaving a boarder of about 12 cm all the way around the rectangle Divide therectangle into four giving you central lines for the width and length of the rug Place the card spotson the Hessian in the appropriate places and draw around them using the marker pen for the halfand quarter spots fold one of the card templates accordingly and then draw around it Draw in yourdesigns within the spots
Step 3 Fold under the raw edges of the Hessian and stitch with arunning stitch using the large-eyed needle and wool this is to preventthe Hessian fraying selvedge edges can be left as they are
Step 4 Hook in the strips of fabrics filling in the spots first and then thebackground You can either use the design shown here or make up yourown spots and colour scheme
Step 5 When completed lay the rug face down on the floor and turn in a hem of about 6 cms tothe back of the rug and pin it all the way around fold and pin the corners as neatly as possibleSew the hem to the back of the rug with a running stitch using the large-eyed needle and woolVoila You have a rug
wwwfolksycomshopsragtagrugs
Written by Ragtag Rugs
SupplierFor an American Style Rug Hook costing about pound750 and also Hessian go to Fred Aldous CraftSupplies wwwfredaldouscouk
NoteSome people prefer to use a rug making frame which helps to keep the rugsquare but as the rug wersquore making here is fairly small and wersquore keepingthings simple Irsquove dispensed with this
The first item I sold online was on my Folksy shop(httpwwwfolksycomshopsLaurabyTheSea) and was a vintage ceramic andbead brooch the buyer was very pleased with it and gave me great feedback
Tell us about yourselfMy name is Laura and I live by the sea in the East of England Pakefield to be precise I live with my wonderful Brother who is a musician so we have a very creative household and in our bright conservatory I make ldquoLaura by The Seardquo jewellery (from necklaces brooches amp bracelets to ear rings and hair slides) using vintage ceramics I break vintage crockery hand sand it to ensure there are no sharp edges and make the shards into beautiful jewellery
When did your crafting begin and whyI began studying ceramics during my BA Hons degree in Fine Art at The University of Portsmouthwhich is where my obsession for vintage crockery began to grow Initially I began by making newplates and tea cups with vintage shards in but soon the beauty of the ceramic shards startedappealing to me which is when I had the idea of making jewellery out of them - and one day I justdid it and havenrsquot stopped since I just love how the cute patterns really stand out against the silverchain
What was the first item you made to sell online
What is your biggest crafting achievement and why
I think my biggest crafting achievement since starting Laura by The SeaJewellery has to be getting interviewed for the national ldquoMAKE Jewelleryrdquomagazine as their new ldquoIt accessoryrdquo designer I totally didnrsquot expect themto contact me via my Folksy store
Other than crafting what else do you like to do
In my spare time I like to paint I write I stronglybelieve it is the simple things in life that count I am a collectorof anything old with a story and pick up anything found on the seashore First morning sunshine trawling antique treasure troves walks on the sand with my pooch Sepia tones and seeing life through a lens makes me happy I do a photographyfashion blog(laurabytheseatumblrcom) and am a very sociable person These are a fewof my favourite things and yes that should include raindrops on roses andbrown paper packages tied up with string
Where would you like to be in 5 years
In 5 years time I would love to be able to do this on a full time basis tomake enough money to live I am aiming to have my jewellery sold in manyUK wide independent stores and hopefully a few abroad However theultimate dream is to have my jewellery featured in Vogue
The first item I sold online was on my Folksy shop(httpwwwfolksycomshopsLaurabyTheSea) and was a vintage ceramic andbead brooch the buyer was very pleased with it and gave me great feedback
Where does your inspiration come from
My inspiration comes from trawling antique and vintage shops photography (one of my current favphotographers is Elizabeth Sarah from America) and I am always inspired by other people When Iget talking with my friends about anything creative the juices start flowing and I get more designideas I am also inspired and work along with music (anything from RampB amp Hip-hop to Reggae andJazz I have an eclectic mix)
What are your favourite materials and why
Vintage ceramics because I adore the vintage floral prints on the crockeryand like the idea of being as eco-friendly as possible and like to only userecycled materials in my jewellery
What is favourite shop online that isnrsquot yours and why
My favourite online shop has to be Loglike a contemporary gift and home ware store with vintageelements The owner makes cute candlesticks from vintage plates and saucers that look amazing onmy coffee table (see httpwwwfolksycomshopsLoglike)
Has any person helped or supported you more than any other
I would have to say my parents and Brother Not just financially when Iwas a poor struggling student but they are supportive with everything Ido in life and I just couldnrsquot do without them My brother is more like abest friend
Tell us a random fact about yourself
I have 23 dresses in my wardrobe and have a vinyl collection of mostly 1980rsquos music (my guiltypleasure)
httpwwwfolksycomshopsLaurabyTheSea
Visit
Lauraat
in the GardenHi Irsquom Tina
Good to have you visit with me again in The GardenI think we will sit in the conservatory this morning the sun is juststreaming in it is so wonderful to feel the warmth after such a coldwinter I have the kettle on and some little iced biscuits butremember we must not over indulge me especially as I have notbeen working in the garden so much just sitting in doors munching
Well Spring is here at last and it does seem to be in a hurrythis year the crab apple is already in bud and also the fruittrees
I had my own little piece of garden and the plants therewere in my charge if I forgot to water them and theydied mother would say you have to be responsible givethem a little care and you will be rewarded with so muchbeauty and as I look around the garden today thebeauty just takes my breath awayI checked out the herbs after the winter and just look atthis monster itrsquos the parsley how great is this
Here is a photo of the willow catkins or lambs tails as mymother used to call them she was a country woman andknew every wild flower by their old country names sheloved all nature and her garden and was my inspirationfrom an early age
wwwtina-in-the-gardenblogspotcom
Also I think that this flower is really confused it is of coursean antirrhinum when I emptied the summer bedding fromthe tubs some were still fine so I planted them in thegarden and as you can see have been well rewarded Alsosome silver foliage plants which I cannot remember thename of and of course have lost thelabel they seem to think that it isalready summer
At the moment you can get into the bog it does not look half as mysterious as it does inthe summer you can even see the streamMy better half and I have one or two projects this summer well I have theideas and he makes them work howlucky am I So watch this space
Oh you have to leave well thank you again for coming be safe until your next visit withme in The Garden
Your green fingered friendTina
The bluebells are coming throughin the wood not long now beforethey flower they have to hurrybefore the trees get their leaves
Creative CraftingAdvertise with
wwwcreative-craftingcomadvertisehtml
A mouse herecould take customers
to your store
We care about yourcraft business
Prices startfrom
only pound2
There are a lot of different crafts to choose fromThis series of articles will discover some of the more unusual and also some
old world crafts that may have been almost forgotten
This article was created by
The Crystal Ladyhttpwwwmysticearthcouk
Sold by Amazon
Knitting with Dog Hairby Anne Montgomery
Contains easy step-by-step instructions for collecting cleaningstoring and spinning your dogs fur The book includes originalknitting patterns for the novice and the pro - from mittens toshawls to lace collars from your cats hair
How to Knit a Dog Hair Sweater
E-How
The brushed undercoat of a dog is called chiengora and can be used for knittingcrocheting or felting just like lambs wool or other yarn Dogs hair has been used forcenturies for weaving blankets and other coverings Dogs hair is much warmer thanwool Here is how to knit a sweater from dog hair
After the tutorial the writer goes on to leave a warning that dog hair is much warmerthan wool and an entire garment made of dog hair will be too hot to wear
I also found a very fascinating article about a lady called Laurie Moy on the Boulder DailyCamera website
Better a sweater from a dog you know and love than from a sheepyoull never meet
Warp and woof-woof Making clothes out of dog hair
Read more Boulder Daily Camera
This was discovered in an American newspaper by Creative Craftings Tinawe just had to tell you about it
I did some Googling about this and apparently there is quite alot about it I found a tutorial on the popular E-How site
Irsquom sure like me yoursquoll find this quite fascinatingIf any of our spinners out there fancy a go atcreating some yarn from their pooches we wouldlove to see some of the results It is also a greatidea for recycling all of that fluff that you areconstantly sweeping up off your sofa or yourcarpet There really is a use for most things afterall
Salt dough is so quick and easy (and therapeutic) to make endlessly adaptable a joy to sharewith the kids and has the advantage of being made from store-cupboard basics (although youcould make these projects in clay or fimo or even plasticine)The drawbacks are that it takes a while to cookpaintvarnish it will dissolve in wet or very dampconditions and will break if you drop it So allow yourself a couple of days to produce a finishedpiece and varnish thoroughly when decorated to protect against any damage
Making a Batch of Salt Dough
1 Mug of Table Salt2 Mugs of Plain FlourApprox 1 Mug of Tepid Water (Add final frac14 slowly)1 Tablespoon of Olive or Vegetable Oil (Optional)
Mix the flour and salt together in a bowlIf you are using oil (which helps to add elasticity but is optional and not necessary) add it to themug of water Add the water (with or without oil) to the salt and flour mixAdd most of the water stirring into the dry ingredients with a wooden spoon Add the last of thewater carefully as you will need more or less depending on humidity and the gradequality of theflourYou need to add enough to bind the ingredients without making it too sticky Empty onto a lightlyfloured surface and knead for at least ten minutes until the dough is smooth and slightly warm
A Few Tips for Modelling Salt DoughRoll out salt dough onto a lightly floured surface with a floured rolling pin or you could use abottle if you havent got a rolling pin Gently flattening salt dough with the heels of your hands willwork too but keep moving the dough to keep it even and turn it over to the fresh smooth sidejust before you begin cutting shapesKeep the thickness of your pieces under an inch much thicker than this and they wont hardenproperly in the middleUse a sharp knife to cut salt dough shapes but a blunt knife (or the back of a knife) is useful whenmarking lines onto the dough A scalpel or craft knife is best for cutting out intricate shapesUse pastry cutters plasticine moulds forks hair grips scrubbing brushes experiment withanything you have lying around the house
Cooking Salt DoughCook your salt dough pieces slowly in a very low oven The cooler and slower the better to preventdistortion in the cooking process These pieces were cooked at 140275 degrees or Gas Mark 1 forapproximately 2 hours but I often leave them all day in the oven at its lowest setting
Heartmade Gifts
Decorating Salt DoughYou can decorate your pieces before or after the cooking process Try adding food colouringherbs and spices tea or coffee to your dough as you knead it Or try painting your uncooked piecewith an egg wash for a lovely golden glowExperiment with various mediums on cooked pieces Gouache and acrylics work well but posterpaint is fine (if a little limited in colour variation) and you could try chalks felt tips or crayonsUse glue to add decorations including glitter sequins fabric bows tiny scraps of paper etcIts nice to leave the dough perfectly natural sometimes and sometimes a combination of naturaldough and painted areas works very wellVarnish thoroughly Any varnish will work I tend to use a spray varnish as a first coat to set thepaints then I add a few coats of a super store own brand wood varnish (If you need yourfinished piece to be especially waterproof try yacht varnish but be aware that it will tend tochange the colours making them yellowish)Use a small brush to get into all the nooks and crannies and allow each coat to dry thoroughlybefore applying the next one The more coats you apply the better protected your final pieceHowever unvarnished salt dough I have made for personal use (or the odd forgotten piece) hassurvived very well even in a slightly damp old house So dont let a lack of varnish deter you fromtrying salt dough But if you are creating a family heirloom four or five coats of a good varnish willensure it lasts for yearsTry these two Easter projects the ldquoEgg-stra Specialrdquo eggs are very quick and simple enough to dowith small children the primrose basket takes a while and is a little fiddly but well worth tryingand very easy to adapt by choosing your own flower or perhaps some other motif
~ Egg-stra Special Eggs ~
1 Form an egg shape from a small ball of dough by rolling in your hands and pressthis gently onto your baking tray(Its easier to build your salt dough pieces directly onto the tray you will use tocook them rather than try and move them while they are still uncooked I havebuilt my eggs onto the kitchen surface because it will be easier for you to see whatIm doing)
2 Roll out a piece of salt dough and use it to cover the bottom end of youregg like a blanket When you are happy with the position gently lift andrun a wet paintbrush between the two pieces to glue them together
3 Cut out an egg cup shape around your egg
4 Use a damp paintbrush to push the egg cup onto the eggand ensure it sticks
(A damp paintbrush also helps soften edges and blend any creases or cracks)
5 Uncurl an old metal paperclip and push into the dough to form a hangingloop You can use a piece of any wire I try and use paperclips or a piece of wire
coat-hanger as I like to recycle An alternative hanging method is to create a smallhole (or two holes for larger pieces) and thread a ribbon or piece of leather shoelacethrough the hole tying it to make a loop)
6 Cut out a small bow shape from a piece of flattened dough
7 Cut two ribbon ends from a rectangle of flattened dough
8 Use a wet paintbrush to layer the ribbon ends onto thetop of your egg
9 Attach the bow in position And add a small piece to the centre ofthe bow to finish
10 Cook
11 Decorate in whatever way takes your fancy hellip have fun
~ Primrose Basket ~
1 Cover a bowl in greaseproof paper and turn upside down onto your baking tray
2 Roll out some dough to approx 5mm thickness and cut into thin stripslong enough to cover your bowl
3 Lay four of these strips across the bottom ofyour bowl
4 Begin weaving four in the opposite direction by gently liftingalternate strips out of the way laying the cross strip and replacingthe lifted strips
5 Then add one strip to each side until you reach the edge of the bowl
6 Trim the edge with a knife or fold the stripsback to form a rough bowl lip You can indentsomething on the dough to secure anddecorate
7 Cook
8 Carefully remove the bowl and paper
9 Make primrose flowers and leaves and glue them to the rim with a wetpaintbrush replacing your bowl in the oven for a short whileLeaves ndash cut rough leaf shapes out of a piece of flatted dough and mark theveins and indent the edges with the back of a knifeFlowers ndash use a small heart cutter to cut 5 heart shapes and place on the rim with pointstogether indenting the centre with your fingertip and then marking with the end of a paintbrushPaint with whichever medium you prefer or have to hand I have used acrylics here leaving thebasket natural and painting the primrose leaves green and the flowers yellow adding someorange to the centres of the flowers while the yellow is still damp for a blurred effect
This article was written by Diannefrom Heartmade Gifts
Join Heartmade Gifts on Facebook
wwwheartmadegiftswordpresscom
Lilac Lace Heart LocketJewellery by Bina
Vintage Victorian StyledSweetheart Locket
Miss Bohemia
pound17
pound15
Emerald Bewitched
youmin
$40
The Bright Forest Locket
marisolspoon
$35
Cameral Locket
mydogandi
$2750
Creative CraftingFavourite
This article was created by
The Crystal Ladyhttpwwwmysticearthcouk
Lockets may sound very old fashioned but if you have a wander through thehandmade sites you will find a wealth of very modern and extremely beautifuldesigns Perfect for you to carry your loved ones with you wherever you go
Bee Joyful LocketThe Whimsical Wren
pound10
SteampunkWatch Mechanism
Locketedmdesigns
$85
Luscious LocketsLuscious Lockets
Who likes Chocolate CakeThis is a great recipe for Easter Mothers day or any other daylets admit it we all love chocolate
Ingredients
7 oz self raising flour8 oz caster sugar1 teaspoon of salt2 tablespoons of cocoa powder4 oz margarine2 eggs beaten with5 tablespoons evaporated milk5 tablespoons water1 teaspoon vanilla essence
1 Sift together flour sugar and salt and cocoa2 Rub in margarine3 Stir in eggs essence and liquids then beat well4 Grease and flour 2 8 inch cake tins divide the mixture between them5 Bake in a moderate over 325-350 F gas mark 3 about 35 minutes6 When cold sandwich together and cover in milk chocolate icing
Milk chocolate Icing
Ingredients
2 and a half oz margarine or butter4 tablespoons cocoa8 oz sieved icing sugar3 tablespoons hot milk1 teaspoon vanilla essence
Melt the margarine or butter and blend incocoa powder then stir in icing sugar milkand vanilla essence Beat until smooth andthick
We hope you all enjoy the recipe we would love to see anypictures of chocolate cakes that you make
Instructions
Instructions
Written and reviewed by Peggyrsquos Knitshttppeggyscollectionwebscom
By Sprinkles Sparkleshttpwwwsprinklessparklescouk
All prices are correct at the time of publication
Budget amp LuxurySpring special
Woodland DaffodilsCharm Bracelet
Coco Angel Rosepound1600
Spring Flower Hair ClipFlutter2me
pound450
Spring flowers broochDi Does Craft
pound800
Pink Spring Clutchfunky diva designs
pound1750
Cupcake BuntingCotton Cottage
pound1650
Purple TulipsWildrose Ridge
pound350
Chickadees and LilacsStained Glass WindowStained Glass Addie
pound4940
The Charlotte - SageRosalind Jamespound14500
Springtime 16 Crayon RollApple n Amos
pound509
Buttercup earrings in softyellow with peridot and brass
Goblins Marketpound401
Springtime DalaFolk Horse HangingDecoration - YellowCourt and Spark
pound400
D A P H N E - BrokenChina Plate Pendant
and Sterling Silver NecklaceDesigns by Mila
pound2228
To make the leaves
Using DK yarn and 300 mm hook make 5 leaves as follows
Rnd 1 9ch dc in 2nd ch 1htr in next ch 1tr in each of next 6ch 3ch ss in base of last tr worked
Now work on opposite side of stitches by turning the work
Rnd 2 3ch 1tr in each of next 6ch 1htr in next ch dc ss in top of first stFasten off and sew in loose ends
Materials
Small quantity of DK yarn I have used a yarn with awool-mix but any DK yarn of your choice will be suitableSmall quantity of kid mohair yarn (use two strands together)300 mm hook200 mm hookOne large buttonBrooch pinSewing needle
To make the small rose
Using a 200 mm hook and working two strands of kid mohair yarn together 13ch
Rnd 1 1tr 2ch 1tr in 4th ch (skip 2ch 1tr 2ch 1tr in next ch) 3 times (4 v- spaces)
Rnd 2 3ch 6tr into next v-space 1dc into space between v-spaces Continue with 6tr into eachv-space and 1dc in between spaces until end ss into last ch Fasten off
Roll the work with fingers from start to finish to create a small rose flower and sew together at thebase
Assembling the brooch
Turn the flower so the right side is facing up and sew the button in the centre of the flowerAttach the rose to the centre of the button as shown in diagram Sew a brooch pin to the back of theflower to complete the brooch
Arrange the 5 leaves to form a circle so thecorners of the leaves are touching Sew eachcorner together to form the petals of aflower
Turn the work so the wrong side is facing upand close the hole by sewing together withthe same DK yarn used to make the leaves
Crochet Flower Brooch
ch - chain stitchdc - double crochethtr - half treble crochetss - slip stitchtr - treble crochetst - stitch
Crochet Mobile PhoneiPod Cosy
Materials
50g Dk yarn in mustard colourSmall quantity of DK yarn in bright pink for picot edgingof cosy and small roseSmall quantity of DK yarn in sage green for leaves of roseflowerSize 300mm hook
Instructions for the cosy
The cosy can be made to fit a mobile phoneiPod of your choice
Pattern note the pattern is worked in dc throughout and worked in the round using the tapestrycrochet method of crochet This involves carrying a second yarn below the first making it verystrong
Foundation row
Using one strand of DK yarn in mustard make a chain that measures the width of your mobilephoneipod
Rnd 1 dc across row until the last chain 2dc in last chain Turn work
Rnd 2 Begin to carry a second strand of mustard yarn throughouteach round and every round from now on This yarn is not worked butcarried below the first strand of yarn
Work along the opposite side of the row just worked 1dc in first ch1ch in each chain until the last chain 2dc in last chain Now mark thelast stitch just worked with a different colour yarn so you can see theend of the round and keep moving this marker up to the last stitchworked
Rnd 3 Dc in each chain around working in spirals moving the stitchmarker as the piece grows Continue until the work measures thedesired length to fit the mobileiPod Fasten off and tie in loose ends
ch - chain stitchdc - double crochethtr - half treble crochetss - slip stitchtr - treble crochetst - stitch
Instructions for rose flower
Rnd 1 Using DK yarn in bright pink 1tr 2ch 1tr in 4th ch (skip 2ch1tr 2ch 1tr in next ch) 3 times (4 v- spaces)
Rnd 2 3ch 6tr into next v-space 1dc into space between v-spacesContinue with 6tr into each v-space and 1dc in between spaces untilend ss into last ch Fasten off
Roll the work with fingers from start to finish to create a small rose flower and sew together at thebase
Instructions for leaves
Using DK yarn and 300mm hook make 2 leaves as follows
Rnd 1 5ch dc in 2nd ch 1htr in next ch 1tr in each of next 2ch 3ch ss in base of last tr workedNow work on opposite side of stitches by turning the work
Rnd 2 3ch 1tr in each of next 2 ch 1htr in next ch dc ss in top of first st Fasten off and sew inloose ends
Assembly
Sew the leaves to the reverse of the rose and attach to the cosy as shown in the picture
Picot edging
Rnd 1 Using DK yarn in bright pink dc into each stitch around the edge of the cosy opening ss tofirst dc
Rnd 2 3ch ss into 2nd chain from hook ss into base of 3ch dc into next 2ch 3ch continuefrom to ss into last ch Fasten off and sew in loose ends
Written by Andrea Lesley Crochethttpwwwfolksycomshopsandrealesleycrochet
Materials
T - shirt - colour your choiceScissorsChainSewing needle and threadCorsage or embellishments
Step 1 First get a plain whitet-shirt
Step 2 Then cut off the neck Step 3 Now sew two pieces of chain to each side of where theneckline should be
Step 4 Cut a triangle out ofthe bottom of the t-shirt
Step 5 Tie the two ends thatare left into a knot or bow
Step 6 Finally add a corsageor flower to the front
Step 7 Now you have a bang on trend crop top simply wear over a vest top I loved designing andgokking up this t-shirt it took minutes and didnt cost a lot either
Corsage made by Madam SalamihttpwwwetsycomshopMadamSalami
Written By Heidi Jackson
Favourite finds from around the crafting communityThis months focus is Easter and Spring
Click on the images to take you to their store
Online StreetMISI
Ring With A FlowerBlue Fish Handmade
pound800
Spring necklace in glassand sterling silver
RosieJo Jewellerypound1275
Easter Eggs CardNaomi Constable
pound250
FOLKSY
Easter rabbit cushionwith choccie eggs
Phoebelinas Treasurespound500
Easter Knitted BagsFluerette
pound300
Small Gorgeous FeltSpring Bouquets
Spare Minute Productionspound2000
WOW THANK YOU
Green And Brown PetalFlower Bracelet
Sprinkles Sparklespound3750 inc pampp
Handmade Pink Canvas Wall Art(Set of 3)
Craft on Canvaspound3900 inc pampp
Blue Easter ChickDharmapaintings
pound12 20 inc pampp
All prices correct at the time of publication
Favourite finds from around the crafting communityThis months focus is Easter and Spring
Click on the images to take you to their store
Best PicksUGLY BE GONE
Handpainted DottyDolly Pegs
Ticketty Boopound650
Quirky Motifs ShopperRachael Taylor
pound1500
Collette the Cow BibBaby Boutique
pound1100
The Cutie Pie - recycledpaper butterfly shadow boxThe WingSpan Collection
pound6421
Easter 1 Square PendantHappy Easter Spring Flowers
Miss Gooseberry Pendantspound321
ETSY
RETROEasterplastic springfling daisy clip-on earringsamber brown makes art
pound208ARTFIRE
Easter Egg Mini Cards 2x2 6Peculiar Parchment
pound170
Spring Chicks - Little FusedGlass Dish - Easter Gift
First Light Glasspound926
4 Chocolate Easter ParadeBunny Lollipops extra large
Candy Cottagepound741
All prices correct at the time of publication
What you will need3 x 10 inch lengths of purple Cylon cord10mm silver plated lobster clasp and clasp tag2 x silver plated fold over necklace endsApprox 24 Rose Quartz gemstone chip beads(holes need to be large enough to thread onelength of the cylon cord though)2 x 4mm silver plated jump rings
Rose Quartz is the stone of unconditionalloveIt purifies and opens the heart helping thewearer to love themselves as well as others
Rose Quartz draws off negative energy andhelps release unexpressed emotions
Encourages self forgiveness and acceptanceaids self trust and self worth
I find it easier to use a macrame board for making this type of bracelet as it make it easier tokeep the design neat but its not essential I use a simple board made from a cork notice boardand pins I also use nylon nosed pliers to fold over the necklace ends as I find metal pliers oftenleave marks but again they arent essential
Step 2 Thread a chip bead onto each of the outer lengths ofcord
Step 3 Cross the outer cordsover the middle one as youwould in a braid Then braid thecords again
Step 1 Attach one of thenecklace ends to one end ofthe three lengths of CyloncordYou can then use the hole inthe end to attach the braceletto your board
Make a Rose Quartz Bracelet
Step 6 Attach the secondnecklace end to the three cordwithout cutting them as it makesit easier The ends can then betrimmed with a craft knife orsharp scissors
Step 7 Using the jump ringsattach the clasp to one end ofthe bracelet and the clasp tagto the other
Step 4 Thread two chip beadson to the new outer lengths ofcord and braid as in the previousstep
Step 5 Repeat step three and four untilthe bracelet reaches seven inchesor your desired length
(The clasp section will measureapproximately one inch)
If the cord ends become frayed they canbe fixed with a little super glue
Step 8 And there you areOne finished rose quartzbracelet
Would you like to share a craft project with Creative Crafting
Let us know what project you would like toshare with us
Anything from jewellery knitting and crochetcrafts paper crafts or a craft you feel hasbeen forgotten about
Email thecrystalladycreative-craftingcom
Written by Elderberry Artshttpwwwelderberryartscouk
To those who are not yet aware Prince William and Kate Middleton will tie the knot this month onFriday 29th April in a quiet little ceremony at Westminster Abbey To some this may mean getting aday off to celebrate the nuptials or actually attend the whole affair To others like myself who areself-employed there will be no day off and hence little difference from a normal day but we can stillbe happy for the two love birds entering a state of marital bliss for the first timeIn these uncertain economic times I am not sure how the Royal Wedding will affect the economyhow much money will people want to spend Will this mean street parties like those that dominatemany peoplersquos memories from Prince Charles and Dianarsquos wedding back in 1981 Will there be arush to purchase ridiculously crass lsquosouvenirrsquo mugs plates tea towels or will the market just not bethere at all with all the unsold Royal Wedding goods in the pound shops by JuneThe handmade and crafting sector needs to be aware of the sales potential created by this Royalevent and so products should be made available to support the celebrations and possibly make thecountry feel good about itself again Maybe a lovely warm spring day in April will be good for thecountry and make it forget its economic woes for a few hoursWe asked a number of our sellers about their experience of the last big Royal Wedding (Charles andDiana) and what they are going to do this time to celebrate There were mixed feelings ndash manywere too young to remember much about the 1981 event and even though I remember a day offfrom school I cannot remember any street parties or spontaneous Mardi Gras This time around Ithink money will be a big factor and most people will not stray too far from a bit of home baking inred white and blue and also a show of patriotic bunting Union Jacks are quite the lsquoin thingrsquo at themoment for interior design and so a patriotic statement may double as being hip and trendy
Kim Lampard of Zigzag Bunting thinks a great way tocelebrate the Royal Wedding is to make your own buntingShe suggests pulling together a pile of fabrics that you nolonger need but that hold cherished memories for you forexample your daughterrsquos first cute dress a tea-towel youbought on a special holiday an old bedspread made by your
Granny Even if the items are damaged so cannot be passed on to others there is always a littlecorner that can be cut up into a triangle to make a bunting flag Mix a few of these together and ifyou have enough for a colour scheme (such as red white and blue) fine but donrsquot worry the flagsdonrsquot even need to be the same size Sometimes a shabby chic lsquoMix and Matchrsquo approach turns outto be perfect Sew the fabric triangles onto a piece of ribbon or bias tape and you will have awonderful string of bunting to decorate for the special day You and your family will remember notonly the Royal Wedding when you bring out that bunting but have extra glimpses of their past inthe fabrics Definitely a memento to cherish
Gaye Weekes of A amp V Designs now lives in Snowdonia North Wales and onlyan hour away from Anglesey where the Royal couple will begin their marriedlife She has no doubt had that His Highness has been hovering over theirremote valley in his helicopter over recent months Gaye plans to be flying redwhite and green Welsh bunting for the wedding Her bunting is made fromvintage fabric from the 1950s and 1960s - a cotton heavy woven greenand cream floral and a jolly red and white gingham She adds ldquo
rdquo
This article was written by
from
httpwwwwowthankyoucouk
Karine Ait-Mohamed of The Pink Fairy Cake isFrench but now lives in England She says ldquo
rdquo In the spirit of the occasion Karinehas produced a product that combines both England and France into the celebration Shehas produced sets of two Union Jack hearts filled with lavender from Chateau la Gabelle inHaute-Provence
Lisa MacDonald of LisaMollyMacDonaldis quite enthusiastic about the weddingand getting caught up in the glamour of the
occasion ldquo
rdquo
Lou Carswell of Loubie Jewels has some prettyfantastic red white and blue jewellery which wouldbe suitable for a Royal wedding celebration She told
us ldquo
rdquo
So what can we gather from these observations It will be a nice idea to celebrate the RoyalWedding If we apply a little lsquowartimersquo austerity (handmade lends itself to recycling andupcycling) we shouldnrsquot have to spend a fortune We can step back from commercialism andbe involved in a low key but meaningful way that will make the event more memorable for itssimplicity and just a little thrift God Bless William and Kate
Tell us about yourself
My name is Sandra Ritchie I live in Cleethorpes UK with my husbandJason my 10 year old daughter Alisha my 2 year old son Alfred andour dog Dumbledore Primarily I am a housewife but in my sparetime I make jewellery of all kinds from beaded pieces to metal workbut mainly I make custom-made bespoke precious metal jewellery
When did your crafting begin and why
Many years ago I studied Jewellery and Metal Art at college andover time Ive collected the tools I needed but never got round tosetting up a workroom until 2009 when my Husband pointed outthat our Utility Room would be perfect for me to set up as aworkroom to start making jewellery again It seemed ideal Ialready had people interested in me making them some jewelleryand it meant I could stay at home and look after the children as wellas try to establish a name for myself as a Jewellery designermaker
What was the first item you made to sell online
The first item I made to sell whilst not specifically to sell online was asilver octopus necklace commissioned by an acquaintance of mine thathad seen the silver octopus necklace that I made for myself whilst atcollege and wanted one like it She has since purchased the silver andcopper entwined Dragon necklace and a commissioned silver Dragonand is back on my list for another piece to be made My number onefan I think
What is your biggest crafting achievement and why
I love all the pieces Ive created especially my Custom work but myfavourite piece of all is the Greenman necklace I was approached tomake something as a surprise for someone and was basically giventhe opportunity to produce something different to my usual pieces Ilove making pieces that are based on peoples ideas of what theywant that is really special but the Greenman necklace was mydesign based on what the customer wanted it to represent I had toteach myself etching for the piece as its something Id never learntand Im really pleased with how it worked out
Other than crafting what else do you like to do
I love spending time with my children and family I love baking andcooking too and I suppose I should admit to enjoying the oddrelaxing glass (or bottle) of nice wine when the children are in bed
wwwlittlefairycultcouk
Where would you like to be in 5 years
In 5 years time Id love to be in a better financial position so I canbuy silver and make silver jewellery to sell that isnt just Custom-made Ive started sneaking a few pieces of precious metal jewellerythat are for general sale onto my site
Where does your inspiration come from
My inspiration is usually from the customers themselves They tell mewhat it is they want and I design a piece to reflect that Sometimes theyalter the design slightly to reflect more of how they want it and that isfine For my bead jewellery its usually what beads I have in myworkroom that inspire my beaded pieces I very rarely buy beads for thereason that I have a design idea and usually just buy mixed lots of beadsand work with what I have
What are your favourite materials and why
I really love working with precious metals There is somethinguniquely satisfying about taking a flat sheet of metal and turning itinto a beautiful piece of jewellery Thats why I take pictures of thepieces as I am making them so that other people and the customerwhos item it is can enjoy seeing it progress from a blank piece ofprecious metal into the finished piece
What is favourite shop online that isnrsquot yours and why
Oh my There are so many amazing websites offering beautiful andunique handmade items but I will always take a look at Etsy to see ifthere is anything that catches my eye on there They have such a largevariety of designerssellers making almost everything but the kitchen sink(though I bet if you looked hard enough youd find one on there) Ireally enjoy the little treasuries they do too where you can browse aselection of items that are grouped together by themes
Has any person helped or supported you more than any other
I have had a lot of support from the good friends I have gained on Twitter and of coursemy real life friends have been extremely supportive too but the main reason I actuallysorted out my workroom (or corner of the utility room) was due to my husband insistingthat I start making jewellery again Luckily his insistence and support paid off virtuallystraight away when a friend asked for the octopus necklace I mentioned earlier to bemade
Tell us a random fact about yourself
I have known the sex of each child and whether Id be carrying one or more before I evenconceived them Fairly random but fact nevertheless
Kit includes seed beads 5 x handmade glass beads choker wire x 3 banglewire x 2 ring wire x 3 jewellery pliers beading mat instructions
Makes 8 fabulous and individual pieces of jewellery without the need forfiddly findings books or other money-wasters
Beaded Jewellery Kitpound12Japan Crafts
A coordinating selection of beads plus step-by-step full colour instructions to make your own version of the Jungle Collar design Learn how to work peyote stitch edge it with drops and embellish it with a lush fringe and beaded flowers and leaves Let your beading imagination run wild
Each kit is hand-picked and slightly different so the beads you receive may not be the exact onesshown in the photograph but you can be certain that your necklace will be uniqueThe kit comes carefully packaged in a handy reusable storage box the only things yoursquoll need inaddition are a beading needle a spool of nylon beading thread and some sharp scissors
Beadweaving Kit for Jungle Collar
pound38Lynn Davy
Fairy Earrings Jewellery Making Kit - Ages 7yrs+
pound5Jewellery Making Kits
These single kits are fabulous for all crafty and creative girls They also make great presents for school friends nieces sisters or even grown ups Each kit includes Sterling Silver earwires or studs a small selection of flowers for the skirt a pair of wings a few coloured glass pearls for the heads silver headpin Organza Bag Full set of instructionsSuitable for ages 7 years and up Requires a pair of pliers to finish off - all instructions included
Bracelet Kit - Chunky Swarovski Pearl and Crystal with Toggle Clasp
pound750Wonderstuff Craft Kits
A little kit of bronze Swarovski pearls and Golden Shadow Swarovski crystals silk and toggle clasp
Kit includes 11 x Swarovski 12mm Pearls Colour - Soft Bronze 3 x Swarovski Crystal 8mm Rondelles - Colour - Golden Shadow 8 x Swarovski Crystal 4mmBicones Colour - Light Colorado Topaz 1 x Silver Plated Toggle Bar 1 x Silver plated Toggle RingBracelet length of threading silk Instructions
This kit contains top quality beads to make an exquisite braceletno special tools are needed
Jewellery making kits
from the small crafterWersquove found a selection of wonderful beading kits for allages and experience These are not massed producedsets but offered by the small crafter
This article was created by The Crystal Lady httpwwwmysticearthcouk
This Months
This months lsquoMan of the Monthrsquo is Ade (Adrian)EdmondsonChosen by MegampMillie
This months lsquoLady of the Monthrsquo is GwenStefaniChosen by Claire Pearcy from Elderberry Arts
httpwwwgwenstefanicom
httpwwwunrealitytvcouklets-dance-for-comic-relieflets-dance-for-comic-relief-results-ade-edmondson-and-eighties-super-group-make-next-weeks-final
(Nothing like an April Fools)
This months lsquoBlog of the Month Awardrsquo goes to lsquoItrsquos All Fiddle Fartrsquo
httpitsallfiddlefartblogspotcom
This months lsquoShop of the Month Awardrsquo goes to lsquoJulias DriftwoodFurniturersquo
httpwwwfolksycomshopsseasandview123
ww
wc
reativ
e-cr
afting
co
mw
ww
cr
eative-c
on
nec
tion
snin
gc
om
CREATIVE CRAFTING
Our next issue will be available to read on
1st June 2010If you have missed any of our issues you
can find them to read on our websitewwwcreative-craftingcom
And also on our Social Network Creative Connectionswwwcreative-connectionsningcom
To advertise in Creative Crafting or to submit an article please contact Annaat thecrystalladycreative-craftingcom
AUGUSTSUMMER 2010
Issue 5
By Crafters for Crafters
Check out our
CraftersDirectory
CREATIVE CRAFTING
By Crafters for Crafters
Issue 3
ValentinesMothers Day 2010
HandcraftedWeddingSpecial
Valentine ampMothers Day
Projects
Have youbeen
featured
By Crafters for Crafters
Issue 3ValentinesMothers Day 2010
Handcrafted
Wedding
SpecialValentine amp
Mothers Day
ProjectsHave you
been
featured
By
EASTER 2010
Issue 4
FATHERS DAY 2010
Issue 4
By Crafters for Crafters
Ch
eck out our
Craft
ersDirectory
AUGUSTSUMMER 2
010
Issu
e 5
By Craf
ters fo
r Craf
ters
Chec
k out our
Crafters
Directory
CREATIVE
C
RAFTINGAU
TUM
N H
ALLO
WEE
N 201
0Is
sue
7
CREA
TIVE
CRAF
TIN
G
By Craf
ters f
or C
rafter
s
Chec
k
out our
Craft
ersDirect
ory
An
niv
ersa
ry
Issu
e
Donrsquot forget
All of our links andadverts are fullyclickable
If you would like to embed our magazine into your website blog myspace page etc you can
customise the code to suit your style and size
AUTUMN HALLOWEEN 2010
Issue 7CREATIVE CRAFTING
By Crafters for Crafters
Check out our
CraftersDirectory
Anniversary
Issue
CHRISTMAS 2010
Issue 8
By Crafters for Crafters
FATHERS DAY 2010
Issue 4
By Crafters for Crafters
Check out our
Crafters
Directory
EASTER 2010
Issue 4
By Crafters for Crafters
By Crafters for Crafters
VALENTINES 2011Issue 9
CREATIVE CRAFTING
As a woman in the UK today if you attend a wedding or the races andparticularly if you are lucky enough to go to Ladies Day at Royal Ascotthen it is usually expected that you should wear a hat or nowadaysa fascinator
If you want to get ahead get a hat
People have always worn hats in someform whether as a protective head covering oras a mark of status within society hats have alwayshad their place In the 15th century it was expectedthat women keep their hair covered wearing veilsand wimples and refashioned male hats were alsopopular
But it was not until the 17th century that womenrsquosheadwear began to take the familiar shape that it does today Bonnetsbecame increasingly popular and at times could be extremely elaboratetrimmed with ribbons lace and feathers
The term lsquomillinerrsquo meaning a maker of womenrsquos hats refers to products derived from Milan andNorthern Italy such as the straws and ribbons used in the making of hats
The haberdashers who imported of these products were known as lsquoMillanersrsquo from which we getthis term The first use of the term in the UK was in the 1700rsquos
Hats were extremely popular at the turn of the 20th century not only forspecial occasions Victorian hats were large brimmed and ornatelydecorated with flowers feathers ribbons and beads The austerity of theSecond World War led to their eventual decline as an everyday pieceof a womanrsquos wardrobe
Nowadays hats and the ever popular fascinator are seeing a resurgencenot in the least thanks to the influences of women such as Sarah JessicaParker Paloma Faith and of course Kate Middleton
Choosing a hat or fascinator needs careful consideration Height faceshape and personality all play a part in shaping your decision A boldfascinator is a statement piece and is certainly not for the shy
Everyone can wear some type of hat or fascinator its just a matter of finding the right one to suityou
There are some amazing British professional milliners working today not least including thelikes of Stephen Jones and Phillip Treacy but you will also find in the UK some wonderful millinersselling their designs on Etsy each producing unique designs to put the perfect finish to any outfitwhatever the occasion
Off With Her Head is run by self taught designer and milliner Lisa Poolewhose designs are fuelled by a love of vintage fashion and moviecostumes
Based in Fife Scotland she prides herself on creating each piece by handand loves to create bespoke pieces for her customers
Off With Her Head focuses on creating vintage inspired pieces andalthough Lisa creates hats and fascinators from various eras in historyshe admits to being a little biased towards the 1950rsquos as its her favouritedecade for fashion
Whatever direction Off With Her Head takes the ethos behind the businessremains the same - quality hats and fascinators at a reasonable price
Off With Her Head ndash Vintage Inspired Millinery
Etsy Store httpwwwetsycomshopmadamequeenyWebsite wwwoffwithherheadcouk
Annalisa Maria Millinery
Annalisa of Annalisa Maria Millinery has always adored hats andbeing the type of person who loves to make things she quitenaturally became interested in millinery
Trained at Kensington and Chelsea college famous for itsmillinery alumni where she learnt all the basics of the trade
She now works out of her London home producing beautifulone of a kind hats and head pieces
Etsy Store wwwetsycomshopdesignsbyannalisa
With so much choice there is absolutely no excuse not to finish your outfit with stunning hatfascinator or headpiecehellip and as they say
Written By Lisa PooleFrom Off With Her Headwwwoffwithherheadcouk
Ella Gajewska is a professional milliner working in London Hats are thelove of her life She has been working as a milliner since 1996 thoughher passion for hats started much earlier in her childhood when Ellacreated hats for her dolls to give them a bit more of an extravagantlook
Having achieved success in Poland where she was a milliners ateliermanager and an inspiring teacher for other young milliners she decidedto take her chances in London the world capital of hats
Since 2001 Ella Gajewska has had the chance of working for renownedateliers and milliners Working in England alongside the best designersof various head wear she has had the chance to develop and perfecther skills even more
Ella Gajewska
Etsy Store wwwetsycomshopEllaGajewskaWebsite wwwellagajewskacom
Little Miss B Design
Little Miss B started out making hats and accessories for herselfand friends uninspired by what was available on the high streetShe decided that shersquod like to give a wider audience the chanceto own a unique Little Miss B creation so began her foray intofashion and millinery
Her inspirations comes from days gone by when style andglamour were more apparent and the quality of craftsmanshipwas high From the 1920s to the 1960s vintage to rockabillyLittle Miss B brings it to the present day with a modern twist
Etsy Store httpwwwetsycomshopLittleMissBDesign
Ive always been artistic in one form or another As a child I always paintedand drew a lot At school I did everything from make a wooden fish pencilholder perspex badges pottery and childrens toys I was very into pencildrawings and shading but I loved using watercolour and other textures formy more cartoonManga style art
I was never very good at what back then was deemed the Girlie stuff I wasmore into woodwork and moulding and graphics This is probably what mademe choose my Bachelor of Science Degree in Architectural Technology Formy degree we used a lot of CAD (Computer Aided Design) to design buildings and building materialsWe also had to craft models of some of our own designs with foam board and other materials I wasin my element with this part of the curriculum
The great thing about craftdesignmaking things - whatever you want to call it is that there is a freedom in Art that you do not get anywhere else There is no right and wrong and no rules The rules come later At the point of concept it is just you and your imagination Which is very liberating and also quite scary because we are conditioned to think within the constraints of rules Art has no rules
Dianes Celebrity ChatsOur lovely Di from Peggyrsquos Knits chats to another celebrity about crafting
Tanya has worked on a number of shows the most recent being the character Adele Alfrey in ITVrsquos Emmerdale She has also worked on other familiar shows with awardwinning producers directors and writers She starred in the BBCcomedy Kerching Her first professional role was in Holby CityShe is also an accomplished presenter and budding playwrightTanya is a former student of the National Youth TheatreTanya told me how she has been artistic about how she sees artand her views on crafting
Please all take a look at Tanyarsquos website which ishttpwwwtanyavitalcom
What you will needFleece material - To determine the size needed- measure the circumference of your head(around your ears) and add 12 inch for seamallowance This will be the width and the lengthmeasurement is 20 inchesCotton thread in the same or contrasting colour
Average Head Sizes -
Newborn (6 months and younger)Circumference 14 to 17 inchesCrown 8 to 10 inches
Infant (6 to 12 months)Circumference 16 to 19 inchesCrown 11 to 12 inches
Child (12 months to 3 years)Circumference 18 to 20 inchesCrown 11 to 12 inches
Step 1 Lay out your fleece on a flat surface anddraw out a rectangle using the measurements forthe hat size required This should be 20 inches longand the width will be the circumference measurementof the size hat your making plus 12 inch seamallowance So to make a hat for a child with a headcircumference of 15 inches the width should be15 12 inches
Claire from Elderberry Arts shows us how to make achildrens hat from fleece material
Why not experiment this Easter holiday
Below are easy to follow instructions and a sizing guide
Thin length of fleece approx 12 inches by12 inchRuler or tape measureTailors chalk or penScissorsPinsSewing needles or sewing machine
Elderberrry Arts
Step 4 Place the right sides of the fleecetogether and pin along the length of thematerial Sew along this edge either by handor machine Knot ends and sewing inside thehem You can trim this hem to make it even andneater if needed
Step 5 Turn the hat right side out andarrange it so the seam is in the middleback From the bottom of your hatmeasure the crown length and place thefleece strip under the hat at this point
Step 6 Tie the ends of thestrip together and pull tightto gather hat
Step 7 Now cut the topsection of the hat into stripsapproximately 12 inch wide
Once youve cut all the wayround the strips can be trimmedto shorten them if required
You could also thread plastic ponybeads on some or all of the stripsknotting the bottom to secure them
Step 2 Cut out the rectangleof fleece Then cut a strip 12inches by 12 inch of fleecefrom the leftover material
Step 3 Pin a hem approx12 inch wide across theshorter length of fleece
Sew either by hand or machineKnot ends and sewing insidethe hem
Written by Elderberry Artshttpwwwelderberryartscouk
Rug Making Ragtag RugsWith
Looking for something fabulous to make using all your old T-shirts sweat shirts and other disusedgarments If so this could be the project for you
The craft of making rag rugs is very traditional and dates backto the mid eighteen hundreds itrsquos still very relevant today whatwith the importance of recycling the other great thing aboutit is that the design on the rug can pretty much be whateveryou want it to be - an image of your pet or your house anabstract or geometric design or something floral traditionalhellip itrsquos totally up to you and your imagination
The technique Irsquoll be using for this project is a method calledlsquohookingrsquo which is very simple and produces a soft and hardwearing pile Irsquove tried to keep everything simple and equipment to a minimum so that everyone canhave a go My favourite fabrics to use are the afore mentioned T-shirts and sweat shirts as they frayvery little but most textiles of a medium thickness can be used
MaterialsVirtually any material can be used in a rag rug some materials are easier to work with than othersThe best materials to use for hooking include T-shirts sweat shirts lightweight cottonssynthetics amplightweight woolsynthetic jumpers Fabrics such as heavy weight denim are not suitableFor this project Irsquove used plain fabrics but patterned fabrics can also be used
HookingStep 1 Working with the Hessian design side up poke the hook through the Hessian and grab thestrip of fabric underneath with the hook
Step 2 Pull the end of the strip of fabric up through the Hessian so that you leave a tail of at least1 cm sticking up
Step 3 Move the hook along about half a centimeter poke it back down through the Hessian andpull a loop of fabric up through to the top of the Hessian a loop height of about 1 cm is best thenjust repeat this technique filling in the required area when you reach the end of a fabric strip pullthe end up through the Hessian and trim it so itrsquos the same height as the loopsMake sure your loops are dense enough and you canrsquot see any of the Hessian backing There is noneed to physically fix the loops in place as they will stay put automatically due to the thickness ofThe fabric and the denseness of the loops
What you will needA piece of Hessian measuring 90 cm x 110 cmSelection of fabrics cut into strips measuring1 - 2 cm wide depending on the thickness ofthe fabric and avoid any seamsRug hookDressmakers pinsScissors
Large-eyed needleBall of woolMarker penYard stick metre ruler2 sheets of thin A4 card or a flattened cereal packetCompassPencil
Ragtag Rugs Rug Making Ragtag RugsWith
Step 1 Using the compass and pencildraw two circles measuring 185 cmacross on the sheets of card and cut theseout using the scissors
Step 2 Using the marker pen and metre rule draw a rectangle on the piece of Hessian measuring63 cm x 84 cm leaving a boarder of about 12 cm all the way around the rectangle Divide therectangle into four giving you central lines for the width and length of the rug Place the card spotson the Hessian in the appropriate places and draw around them using the marker pen for the halfand quarter spots fold one of the card templates accordingly and then draw around it Draw in yourdesigns within the spots
Step 3 Fold under the raw edges of the Hessian and stitch with arunning stitch using the large-eyed needle and wool this is to preventthe Hessian fraying selvedge edges can be left as they are
Step 4 Hook in the strips of fabrics filling in the spots first and then thebackground You can either use the design shown here or make up yourown spots and colour scheme
Step 5 When completed lay the rug face down on the floor and turn in a hem of about 6 cms tothe back of the rug and pin it all the way around fold and pin the corners as neatly as possibleSew the hem to the back of the rug with a running stitch using the large-eyed needle and woolVoila You have a rug
wwwfolksycomshopsragtagrugs
Written by Ragtag Rugs
SupplierFor an American Style Rug Hook costing about pound750 and also Hessian go to Fred Aldous CraftSupplies wwwfredaldouscouk
NoteSome people prefer to use a rug making frame which helps to keep the rugsquare but as the rug wersquore making here is fairly small and wersquore keepingthings simple Irsquove dispensed with this
The first item I sold online was on my Folksy shop(httpwwwfolksycomshopsLaurabyTheSea) and was a vintage ceramic andbead brooch the buyer was very pleased with it and gave me great feedback
Tell us about yourselfMy name is Laura and I live by the sea in the East of England Pakefield to be precise I live with my wonderful Brother who is a musician so we have a very creative household and in our bright conservatory I make ldquoLaura by The Seardquo jewellery (from necklaces brooches amp bracelets to ear rings and hair slides) using vintage ceramics I break vintage crockery hand sand it to ensure there are no sharp edges and make the shards into beautiful jewellery
When did your crafting begin and whyI began studying ceramics during my BA Hons degree in Fine Art at The University of Portsmouthwhich is where my obsession for vintage crockery began to grow Initially I began by making newplates and tea cups with vintage shards in but soon the beauty of the ceramic shards startedappealing to me which is when I had the idea of making jewellery out of them - and one day I justdid it and havenrsquot stopped since I just love how the cute patterns really stand out against the silverchain
What was the first item you made to sell online
What is your biggest crafting achievement and why
I think my biggest crafting achievement since starting Laura by The SeaJewellery has to be getting interviewed for the national ldquoMAKE Jewelleryrdquomagazine as their new ldquoIt accessoryrdquo designer I totally didnrsquot expect themto contact me via my Folksy store
Other than crafting what else do you like to do
In my spare time I like to paint I write I stronglybelieve it is the simple things in life that count I am a collectorof anything old with a story and pick up anything found on the seashore First morning sunshine trawling antique treasure troves walks on the sand with my pooch Sepia tones and seeing life through a lens makes me happy I do a photographyfashion blog(laurabytheseatumblrcom) and am a very sociable person These are a fewof my favourite things and yes that should include raindrops on roses andbrown paper packages tied up with string
Where would you like to be in 5 years
In 5 years time I would love to be able to do this on a full time basis tomake enough money to live I am aiming to have my jewellery sold in manyUK wide independent stores and hopefully a few abroad However theultimate dream is to have my jewellery featured in Vogue
The first item I sold online was on my Folksy shop(httpwwwfolksycomshopsLaurabyTheSea) and was a vintage ceramic andbead brooch the buyer was very pleased with it and gave me great feedback
Where does your inspiration come from
My inspiration comes from trawling antique and vintage shops photography (one of my current favphotographers is Elizabeth Sarah from America) and I am always inspired by other people When Iget talking with my friends about anything creative the juices start flowing and I get more designideas I am also inspired and work along with music (anything from RampB amp Hip-hop to Reggae andJazz I have an eclectic mix)
What are your favourite materials and why
Vintage ceramics because I adore the vintage floral prints on the crockeryand like the idea of being as eco-friendly as possible and like to only userecycled materials in my jewellery
What is favourite shop online that isnrsquot yours and why
My favourite online shop has to be Loglike a contemporary gift and home ware store with vintageelements The owner makes cute candlesticks from vintage plates and saucers that look amazing onmy coffee table (see httpwwwfolksycomshopsLoglike)
Has any person helped or supported you more than any other
I would have to say my parents and Brother Not just financially when Iwas a poor struggling student but they are supportive with everything Ido in life and I just couldnrsquot do without them My brother is more like abest friend
Tell us a random fact about yourself
I have 23 dresses in my wardrobe and have a vinyl collection of mostly 1980rsquos music (my guiltypleasure)
httpwwwfolksycomshopsLaurabyTheSea
Visit
Lauraat
in the GardenHi Irsquom Tina
Good to have you visit with me again in The GardenI think we will sit in the conservatory this morning the sun is juststreaming in it is so wonderful to feel the warmth after such a coldwinter I have the kettle on and some little iced biscuits butremember we must not over indulge me especially as I have notbeen working in the garden so much just sitting in doors munching
Well Spring is here at last and it does seem to be in a hurrythis year the crab apple is already in bud and also the fruittrees
I had my own little piece of garden and the plants therewere in my charge if I forgot to water them and theydied mother would say you have to be responsible givethem a little care and you will be rewarded with so muchbeauty and as I look around the garden today thebeauty just takes my breath awayI checked out the herbs after the winter and just look atthis monster itrsquos the parsley how great is this
Here is a photo of the willow catkins or lambs tails as mymother used to call them she was a country woman andknew every wild flower by their old country names sheloved all nature and her garden and was my inspirationfrom an early age
wwwtina-in-the-gardenblogspotcom
Also I think that this flower is really confused it is of coursean antirrhinum when I emptied the summer bedding fromthe tubs some were still fine so I planted them in thegarden and as you can see have been well rewarded Alsosome silver foliage plants which I cannot remember thename of and of course have lost thelabel they seem to think that it isalready summer
At the moment you can get into the bog it does not look half as mysterious as it does inthe summer you can even see the streamMy better half and I have one or two projects this summer well I have theideas and he makes them work howlucky am I So watch this space
Oh you have to leave well thank you again for coming be safe until your next visit withme in The Garden
Your green fingered friendTina
The bluebells are coming throughin the wood not long now beforethey flower they have to hurrybefore the trees get their leaves
Creative CraftingAdvertise with
wwwcreative-craftingcomadvertisehtml
A mouse herecould take customers
to your store
We care about yourcraft business
Prices startfrom
only pound2
There are a lot of different crafts to choose fromThis series of articles will discover some of the more unusual and also some
old world crafts that may have been almost forgotten
This article was created by
The Crystal Ladyhttpwwwmysticearthcouk
Sold by Amazon
Knitting with Dog Hairby Anne Montgomery
Contains easy step-by-step instructions for collecting cleaningstoring and spinning your dogs fur The book includes originalknitting patterns for the novice and the pro - from mittens toshawls to lace collars from your cats hair
How to Knit a Dog Hair Sweater
E-How
The brushed undercoat of a dog is called chiengora and can be used for knittingcrocheting or felting just like lambs wool or other yarn Dogs hair has been used forcenturies for weaving blankets and other coverings Dogs hair is much warmer thanwool Here is how to knit a sweater from dog hair
After the tutorial the writer goes on to leave a warning that dog hair is much warmerthan wool and an entire garment made of dog hair will be too hot to wear
I also found a very fascinating article about a lady called Laurie Moy on the Boulder DailyCamera website
Better a sweater from a dog you know and love than from a sheepyoull never meet
Warp and woof-woof Making clothes out of dog hair
Read more Boulder Daily Camera
This was discovered in an American newspaper by Creative Craftings Tinawe just had to tell you about it
I did some Googling about this and apparently there is quite alot about it I found a tutorial on the popular E-How site
Irsquom sure like me yoursquoll find this quite fascinatingIf any of our spinners out there fancy a go atcreating some yarn from their pooches we wouldlove to see some of the results It is also a greatidea for recycling all of that fluff that you areconstantly sweeping up off your sofa or yourcarpet There really is a use for most things afterall
Salt dough is so quick and easy (and therapeutic) to make endlessly adaptable a joy to sharewith the kids and has the advantage of being made from store-cupboard basics (although youcould make these projects in clay or fimo or even plasticine)The drawbacks are that it takes a while to cookpaintvarnish it will dissolve in wet or very dampconditions and will break if you drop it So allow yourself a couple of days to produce a finishedpiece and varnish thoroughly when decorated to protect against any damage
Making a Batch of Salt Dough
1 Mug of Table Salt2 Mugs of Plain FlourApprox 1 Mug of Tepid Water (Add final frac14 slowly)1 Tablespoon of Olive or Vegetable Oil (Optional)
Mix the flour and salt together in a bowlIf you are using oil (which helps to add elasticity but is optional and not necessary) add it to themug of water Add the water (with or without oil) to the salt and flour mixAdd most of the water stirring into the dry ingredients with a wooden spoon Add the last of thewater carefully as you will need more or less depending on humidity and the gradequality of theflourYou need to add enough to bind the ingredients without making it too sticky Empty onto a lightlyfloured surface and knead for at least ten minutes until the dough is smooth and slightly warm
A Few Tips for Modelling Salt DoughRoll out salt dough onto a lightly floured surface with a floured rolling pin or you could use abottle if you havent got a rolling pin Gently flattening salt dough with the heels of your hands willwork too but keep moving the dough to keep it even and turn it over to the fresh smooth sidejust before you begin cutting shapesKeep the thickness of your pieces under an inch much thicker than this and they wont hardenproperly in the middleUse a sharp knife to cut salt dough shapes but a blunt knife (or the back of a knife) is useful whenmarking lines onto the dough A scalpel or craft knife is best for cutting out intricate shapesUse pastry cutters plasticine moulds forks hair grips scrubbing brushes experiment withanything you have lying around the house
Cooking Salt DoughCook your salt dough pieces slowly in a very low oven The cooler and slower the better to preventdistortion in the cooking process These pieces were cooked at 140275 degrees or Gas Mark 1 forapproximately 2 hours but I often leave them all day in the oven at its lowest setting
Heartmade Gifts
Decorating Salt DoughYou can decorate your pieces before or after the cooking process Try adding food colouringherbs and spices tea or coffee to your dough as you knead it Or try painting your uncooked piecewith an egg wash for a lovely golden glowExperiment with various mediums on cooked pieces Gouache and acrylics work well but posterpaint is fine (if a little limited in colour variation) and you could try chalks felt tips or crayonsUse glue to add decorations including glitter sequins fabric bows tiny scraps of paper etcIts nice to leave the dough perfectly natural sometimes and sometimes a combination of naturaldough and painted areas works very wellVarnish thoroughly Any varnish will work I tend to use a spray varnish as a first coat to set thepaints then I add a few coats of a super store own brand wood varnish (If you need yourfinished piece to be especially waterproof try yacht varnish but be aware that it will tend tochange the colours making them yellowish)Use a small brush to get into all the nooks and crannies and allow each coat to dry thoroughlybefore applying the next one The more coats you apply the better protected your final pieceHowever unvarnished salt dough I have made for personal use (or the odd forgotten piece) hassurvived very well even in a slightly damp old house So dont let a lack of varnish deter you fromtrying salt dough But if you are creating a family heirloom four or five coats of a good varnish willensure it lasts for yearsTry these two Easter projects the ldquoEgg-stra Specialrdquo eggs are very quick and simple enough to dowith small children the primrose basket takes a while and is a little fiddly but well worth tryingand very easy to adapt by choosing your own flower or perhaps some other motif
~ Egg-stra Special Eggs ~
1 Form an egg shape from a small ball of dough by rolling in your hands and pressthis gently onto your baking tray(Its easier to build your salt dough pieces directly onto the tray you will use tocook them rather than try and move them while they are still uncooked I havebuilt my eggs onto the kitchen surface because it will be easier for you to see whatIm doing)
2 Roll out a piece of salt dough and use it to cover the bottom end of youregg like a blanket When you are happy with the position gently lift andrun a wet paintbrush between the two pieces to glue them together
3 Cut out an egg cup shape around your egg
4 Use a damp paintbrush to push the egg cup onto the eggand ensure it sticks
(A damp paintbrush also helps soften edges and blend any creases or cracks)
5 Uncurl an old metal paperclip and push into the dough to form a hangingloop You can use a piece of any wire I try and use paperclips or a piece of wire
coat-hanger as I like to recycle An alternative hanging method is to create a smallhole (or two holes for larger pieces) and thread a ribbon or piece of leather shoelacethrough the hole tying it to make a loop)
6 Cut out a small bow shape from a piece of flattened dough
7 Cut two ribbon ends from a rectangle of flattened dough
8 Use a wet paintbrush to layer the ribbon ends onto thetop of your egg
9 Attach the bow in position And add a small piece to the centre ofthe bow to finish
10 Cook
11 Decorate in whatever way takes your fancy hellip have fun
~ Primrose Basket ~
1 Cover a bowl in greaseproof paper and turn upside down onto your baking tray
2 Roll out some dough to approx 5mm thickness and cut into thin stripslong enough to cover your bowl
3 Lay four of these strips across the bottom ofyour bowl
4 Begin weaving four in the opposite direction by gently liftingalternate strips out of the way laying the cross strip and replacingthe lifted strips
5 Then add one strip to each side until you reach the edge of the bowl
6 Trim the edge with a knife or fold the stripsback to form a rough bowl lip You can indentsomething on the dough to secure anddecorate
7 Cook
8 Carefully remove the bowl and paper
9 Make primrose flowers and leaves and glue them to the rim with a wetpaintbrush replacing your bowl in the oven for a short whileLeaves ndash cut rough leaf shapes out of a piece of flatted dough and mark theveins and indent the edges with the back of a knifeFlowers ndash use a small heart cutter to cut 5 heart shapes and place on the rim with pointstogether indenting the centre with your fingertip and then marking with the end of a paintbrushPaint with whichever medium you prefer or have to hand I have used acrylics here leaving thebasket natural and painting the primrose leaves green and the flowers yellow adding someorange to the centres of the flowers while the yellow is still damp for a blurred effect
This article was written by Diannefrom Heartmade Gifts
Join Heartmade Gifts on Facebook
wwwheartmadegiftswordpresscom
Lilac Lace Heart LocketJewellery by Bina
Vintage Victorian StyledSweetheart Locket
Miss Bohemia
pound17
pound15
Emerald Bewitched
youmin
$40
The Bright Forest Locket
marisolspoon
$35
Cameral Locket
mydogandi
$2750
Creative CraftingFavourite
This article was created by
The Crystal Ladyhttpwwwmysticearthcouk
Lockets may sound very old fashioned but if you have a wander through thehandmade sites you will find a wealth of very modern and extremely beautifuldesigns Perfect for you to carry your loved ones with you wherever you go
Bee Joyful LocketThe Whimsical Wren
pound10
SteampunkWatch Mechanism
Locketedmdesigns
$85
Luscious LocketsLuscious Lockets
Who likes Chocolate CakeThis is a great recipe for Easter Mothers day or any other daylets admit it we all love chocolate
Ingredients
7 oz self raising flour8 oz caster sugar1 teaspoon of salt2 tablespoons of cocoa powder4 oz margarine2 eggs beaten with5 tablespoons evaporated milk5 tablespoons water1 teaspoon vanilla essence
1 Sift together flour sugar and salt and cocoa2 Rub in margarine3 Stir in eggs essence and liquids then beat well4 Grease and flour 2 8 inch cake tins divide the mixture between them5 Bake in a moderate over 325-350 F gas mark 3 about 35 minutes6 When cold sandwich together and cover in milk chocolate icing
Milk chocolate Icing
Ingredients
2 and a half oz margarine or butter4 tablespoons cocoa8 oz sieved icing sugar3 tablespoons hot milk1 teaspoon vanilla essence
Melt the margarine or butter and blend incocoa powder then stir in icing sugar milkand vanilla essence Beat until smooth andthick
We hope you all enjoy the recipe we would love to see anypictures of chocolate cakes that you make
Instructions
Instructions
Written and reviewed by Peggyrsquos Knitshttppeggyscollectionwebscom
By Sprinkles Sparkleshttpwwwsprinklessparklescouk
All prices are correct at the time of publication
Budget amp LuxurySpring special
Woodland DaffodilsCharm Bracelet
Coco Angel Rosepound1600
Spring Flower Hair ClipFlutter2me
pound450
Spring flowers broochDi Does Craft
pound800
Pink Spring Clutchfunky diva designs
pound1750
Cupcake BuntingCotton Cottage
pound1650
Purple TulipsWildrose Ridge
pound350
Chickadees and LilacsStained Glass WindowStained Glass Addie
pound4940
The Charlotte - SageRosalind Jamespound14500
Springtime 16 Crayon RollApple n Amos
pound509
Buttercup earrings in softyellow with peridot and brass
Goblins Marketpound401
Springtime DalaFolk Horse HangingDecoration - YellowCourt and Spark
pound400
D A P H N E - BrokenChina Plate Pendant
and Sterling Silver NecklaceDesigns by Mila
pound2228
To make the leaves
Using DK yarn and 300 mm hook make 5 leaves as follows
Rnd 1 9ch dc in 2nd ch 1htr in next ch 1tr in each of next 6ch 3ch ss in base of last tr worked
Now work on opposite side of stitches by turning the work
Rnd 2 3ch 1tr in each of next 6ch 1htr in next ch dc ss in top of first stFasten off and sew in loose ends
Materials
Small quantity of DK yarn I have used a yarn with awool-mix but any DK yarn of your choice will be suitableSmall quantity of kid mohair yarn (use two strands together)300 mm hook200 mm hookOne large buttonBrooch pinSewing needle
To make the small rose
Using a 200 mm hook and working two strands of kid mohair yarn together 13ch
Rnd 1 1tr 2ch 1tr in 4th ch (skip 2ch 1tr 2ch 1tr in next ch) 3 times (4 v- spaces)
Rnd 2 3ch 6tr into next v-space 1dc into space between v-spaces Continue with 6tr into eachv-space and 1dc in between spaces until end ss into last ch Fasten off
Roll the work with fingers from start to finish to create a small rose flower and sew together at thebase
Assembling the brooch
Turn the flower so the right side is facing up and sew the button in the centre of the flowerAttach the rose to the centre of the button as shown in diagram Sew a brooch pin to the back of theflower to complete the brooch
Arrange the 5 leaves to form a circle so thecorners of the leaves are touching Sew eachcorner together to form the petals of aflower
Turn the work so the wrong side is facing upand close the hole by sewing together withthe same DK yarn used to make the leaves
Crochet Flower Brooch
ch - chain stitchdc - double crochethtr - half treble crochetss - slip stitchtr - treble crochetst - stitch
Crochet Mobile PhoneiPod Cosy
Materials
50g Dk yarn in mustard colourSmall quantity of DK yarn in bright pink for picot edgingof cosy and small roseSmall quantity of DK yarn in sage green for leaves of roseflowerSize 300mm hook
Instructions for the cosy
The cosy can be made to fit a mobile phoneiPod of your choice
Pattern note the pattern is worked in dc throughout and worked in the round using the tapestrycrochet method of crochet This involves carrying a second yarn below the first making it verystrong
Foundation row
Using one strand of DK yarn in mustard make a chain that measures the width of your mobilephoneipod
Rnd 1 dc across row until the last chain 2dc in last chain Turn work
Rnd 2 Begin to carry a second strand of mustard yarn throughouteach round and every round from now on This yarn is not worked butcarried below the first strand of yarn
Work along the opposite side of the row just worked 1dc in first ch1ch in each chain until the last chain 2dc in last chain Now mark thelast stitch just worked with a different colour yarn so you can see theend of the round and keep moving this marker up to the last stitchworked
Rnd 3 Dc in each chain around working in spirals moving the stitchmarker as the piece grows Continue until the work measures thedesired length to fit the mobileiPod Fasten off and tie in loose ends
ch - chain stitchdc - double crochethtr - half treble crochetss - slip stitchtr - treble crochetst - stitch
Instructions for rose flower
Rnd 1 Using DK yarn in bright pink 1tr 2ch 1tr in 4th ch (skip 2ch1tr 2ch 1tr in next ch) 3 times (4 v- spaces)
Rnd 2 3ch 6tr into next v-space 1dc into space between v-spacesContinue with 6tr into each v-space and 1dc in between spaces untilend ss into last ch Fasten off
Roll the work with fingers from start to finish to create a small rose flower and sew together at thebase
Instructions for leaves
Using DK yarn and 300mm hook make 2 leaves as follows
Rnd 1 5ch dc in 2nd ch 1htr in next ch 1tr in each of next 2ch 3ch ss in base of last tr workedNow work on opposite side of stitches by turning the work
Rnd 2 3ch 1tr in each of next 2 ch 1htr in next ch dc ss in top of first st Fasten off and sew inloose ends
Assembly
Sew the leaves to the reverse of the rose and attach to the cosy as shown in the picture
Picot edging
Rnd 1 Using DK yarn in bright pink dc into each stitch around the edge of the cosy opening ss tofirst dc
Rnd 2 3ch ss into 2nd chain from hook ss into base of 3ch dc into next 2ch 3ch continuefrom to ss into last ch Fasten off and sew in loose ends
Written by Andrea Lesley Crochethttpwwwfolksycomshopsandrealesleycrochet
Materials
T - shirt - colour your choiceScissorsChainSewing needle and threadCorsage or embellishments
Step 1 First get a plain whitet-shirt
Step 2 Then cut off the neck Step 3 Now sew two pieces of chain to each side of where theneckline should be
Step 4 Cut a triangle out ofthe bottom of the t-shirt
Step 5 Tie the two ends thatare left into a knot or bow
Step 6 Finally add a corsageor flower to the front
Step 7 Now you have a bang on trend crop top simply wear over a vest top I loved designing andgokking up this t-shirt it took minutes and didnt cost a lot either
Corsage made by Madam SalamihttpwwwetsycomshopMadamSalami
Written By Heidi Jackson
Favourite finds from around the crafting communityThis months focus is Easter and Spring
Click on the images to take you to their store
Online StreetMISI
Ring With A FlowerBlue Fish Handmade
pound800
Spring necklace in glassand sterling silver
RosieJo Jewellerypound1275
Easter Eggs CardNaomi Constable
pound250
FOLKSY
Easter rabbit cushionwith choccie eggs
Phoebelinas Treasurespound500
Easter Knitted BagsFluerette
pound300
Small Gorgeous FeltSpring Bouquets
Spare Minute Productionspound2000
WOW THANK YOU
Green And Brown PetalFlower Bracelet
Sprinkles Sparklespound3750 inc pampp
Handmade Pink Canvas Wall Art(Set of 3)
Craft on Canvaspound3900 inc pampp
Blue Easter ChickDharmapaintings
pound12 20 inc pampp
All prices correct at the time of publication
Favourite finds from around the crafting communityThis months focus is Easter and Spring
Click on the images to take you to their store
Best PicksUGLY BE GONE
Handpainted DottyDolly Pegs
Ticketty Boopound650
Quirky Motifs ShopperRachael Taylor
pound1500
Collette the Cow BibBaby Boutique
pound1100
The Cutie Pie - recycledpaper butterfly shadow boxThe WingSpan Collection
pound6421
Easter 1 Square PendantHappy Easter Spring Flowers
Miss Gooseberry Pendantspound321
ETSY
RETROEasterplastic springfling daisy clip-on earringsamber brown makes art
pound208ARTFIRE
Easter Egg Mini Cards 2x2 6Peculiar Parchment
pound170
Spring Chicks - Little FusedGlass Dish - Easter Gift
First Light Glasspound926
4 Chocolate Easter ParadeBunny Lollipops extra large
Candy Cottagepound741
All prices correct at the time of publication
What you will need3 x 10 inch lengths of purple Cylon cord10mm silver plated lobster clasp and clasp tag2 x silver plated fold over necklace endsApprox 24 Rose Quartz gemstone chip beads(holes need to be large enough to thread onelength of the cylon cord though)2 x 4mm silver plated jump rings
Rose Quartz is the stone of unconditionalloveIt purifies and opens the heart helping thewearer to love themselves as well as others
Rose Quartz draws off negative energy andhelps release unexpressed emotions
Encourages self forgiveness and acceptanceaids self trust and self worth
I find it easier to use a macrame board for making this type of bracelet as it make it easier tokeep the design neat but its not essential I use a simple board made from a cork notice boardand pins I also use nylon nosed pliers to fold over the necklace ends as I find metal pliers oftenleave marks but again they arent essential
Step 2 Thread a chip bead onto each of the outer lengths ofcord
Step 3 Cross the outer cordsover the middle one as youwould in a braid Then braid thecords again
Step 1 Attach one of thenecklace ends to one end ofthe three lengths of CyloncordYou can then use the hole inthe end to attach the braceletto your board
Make a Rose Quartz Bracelet
Step 6 Attach the secondnecklace end to the three cordwithout cutting them as it makesit easier The ends can then betrimmed with a craft knife orsharp scissors
Step 7 Using the jump ringsattach the clasp to one end ofthe bracelet and the clasp tagto the other
Step 4 Thread two chip beadson to the new outer lengths ofcord and braid as in the previousstep
Step 5 Repeat step three and four untilthe bracelet reaches seven inchesor your desired length
(The clasp section will measureapproximately one inch)
If the cord ends become frayed they canbe fixed with a little super glue
Step 8 And there you areOne finished rose quartzbracelet
Would you like to share a craft project with Creative Crafting
Let us know what project you would like toshare with us
Anything from jewellery knitting and crochetcrafts paper crafts or a craft you feel hasbeen forgotten about
Email thecrystalladycreative-craftingcom
Written by Elderberry Artshttpwwwelderberryartscouk
To those who are not yet aware Prince William and Kate Middleton will tie the knot this month onFriday 29th April in a quiet little ceremony at Westminster Abbey To some this may mean getting aday off to celebrate the nuptials or actually attend the whole affair To others like myself who areself-employed there will be no day off and hence little difference from a normal day but we can stillbe happy for the two love birds entering a state of marital bliss for the first timeIn these uncertain economic times I am not sure how the Royal Wedding will affect the economyhow much money will people want to spend Will this mean street parties like those that dominatemany peoplersquos memories from Prince Charles and Dianarsquos wedding back in 1981 Will there be arush to purchase ridiculously crass lsquosouvenirrsquo mugs plates tea towels or will the market just not bethere at all with all the unsold Royal Wedding goods in the pound shops by JuneThe handmade and crafting sector needs to be aware of the sales potential created by this Royalevent and so products should be made available to support the celebrations and possibly make thecountry feel good about itself again Maybe a lovely warm spring day in April will be good for thecountry and make it forget its economic woes for a few hoursWe asked a number of our sellers about their experience of the last big Royal Wedding (Charles andDiana) and what they are going to do this time to celebrate There were mixed feelings ndash manywere too young to remember much about the 1981 event and even though I remember a day offfrom school I cannot remember any street parties or spontaneous Mardi Gras This time around Ithink money will be a big factor and most people will not stray too far from a bit of home baking inred white and blue and also a show of patriotic bunting Union Jacks are quite the lsquoin thingrsquo at themoment for interior design and so a patriotic statement may double as being hip and trendy
Kim Lampard of Zigzag Bunting thinks a great way tocelebrate the Royal Wedding is to make your own buntingShe suggests pulling together a pile of fabrics that you nolonger need but that hold cherished memories for you forexample your daughterrsquos first cute dress a tea-towel youbought on a special holiday an old bedspread made by your
Granny Even if the items are damaged so cannot be passed on to others there is always a littlecorner that can be cut up into a triangle to make a bunting flag Mix a few of these together and ifyou have enough for a colour scheme (such as red white and blue) fine but donrsquot worry the flagsdonrsquot even need to be the same size Sometimes a shabby chic lsquoMix and Matchrsquo approach turns outto be perfect Sew the fabric triangles onto a piece of ribbon or bias tape and you will have awonderful string of bunting to decorate for the special day You and your family will remember notonly the Royal Wedding when you bring out that bunting but have extra glimpses of their past inthe fabrics Definitely a memento to cherish
Gaye Weekes of A amp V Designs now lives in Snowdonia North Wales and onlyan hour away from Anglesey where the Royal couple will begin their marriedlife She has no doubt had that His Highness has been hovering over theirremote valley in his helicopter over recent months Gaye plans to be flying redwhite and green Welsh bunting for the wedding Her bunting is made fromvintage fabric from the 1950s and 1960s - a cotton heavy woven greenand cream floral and a jolly red and white gingham She adds ldquo
rdquo
This article was written by
from
httpwwwwowthankyoucouk
Karine Ait-Mohamed of The Pink Fairy Cake isFrench but now lives in England She says ldquo
rdquo In the spirit of the occasion Karinehas produced a product that combines both England and France into the celebration Shehas produced sets of two Union Jack hearts filled with lavender from Chateau la Gabelle inHaute-Provence
Lisa MacDonald of LisaMollyMacDonaldis quite enthusiastic about the weddingand getting caught up in the glamour of the
occasion ldquo
rdquo
Lou Carswell of Loubie Jewels has some prettyfantastic red white and blue jewellery which wouldbe suitable for a Royal wedding celebration She told
us ldquo
rdquo
So what can we gather from these observations It will be a nice idea to celebrate the RoyalWedding If we apply a little lsquowartimersquo austerity (handmade lends itself to recycling andupcycling) we shouldnrsquot have to spend a fortune We can step back from commercialism andbe involved in a low key but meaningful way that will make the event more memorable for itssimplicity and just a little thrift God Bless William and Kate
Tell us about yourself
My name is Sandra Ritchie I live in Cleethorpes UK with my husbandJason my 10 year old daughter Alisha my 2 year old son Alfred andour dog Dumbledore Primarily I am a housewife but in my sparetime I make jewellery of all kinds from beaded pieces to metal workbut mainly I make custom-made bespoke precious metal jewellery
When did your crafting begin and why
Many years ago I studied Jewellery and Metal Art at college andover time Ive collected the tools I needed but never got round tosetting up a workroom until 2009 when my Husband pointed outthat our Utility Room would be perfect for me to set up as aworkroom to start making jewellery again It seemed ideal Ialready had people interested in me making them some jewelleryand it meant I could stay at home and look after the children as wellas try to establish a name for myself as a Jewellery designermaker
What was the first item you made to sell online
The first item I made to sell whilst not specifically to sell online was asilver octopus necklace commissioned by an acquaintance of mine thathad seen the silver octopus necklace that I made for myself whilst atcollege and wanted one like it She has since purchased the silver andcopper entwined Dragon necklace and a commissioned silver Dragonand is back on my list for another piece to be made My number onefan I think
What is your biggest crafting achievement and why
I love all the pieces Ive created especially my Custom work but myfavourite piece of all is the Greenman necklace I was approached tomake something as a surprise for someone and was basically giventhe opportunity to produce something different to my usual pieces Ilove making pieces that are based on peoples ideas of what theywant that is really special but the Greenman necklace was mydesign based on what the customer wanted it to represent I had toteach myself etching for the piece as its something Id never learntand Im really pleased with how it worked out
Other than crafting what else do you like to do
I love spending time with my children and family I love baking andcooking too and I suppose I should admit to enjoying the oddrelaxing glass (or bottle) of nice wine when the children are in bed
wwwlittlefairycultcouk
Where would you like to be in 5 years
In 5 years time Id love to be in a better financial position so I canbuy silver and make silver jewellery to sell that isnt just Custom-made Ive started sneaking a few pieces of precious metal jewellerythat are for general sale onto my site
Where does your inspiration come from
My inspiration is usually from the customers themselves They tell mewhat it is they want and I design a piece to reflect that Sometimes theyalter the design slightly to reflect more of how they want it and that isfine For my bead jewellery its usually what beads I have in myworkroom that inspire my beaded pieces I very rarely buy beads for thereason that I have a design idea and usually just buy mixed lots of beadsand work with what I have
What are your favourite materials and why
I really love working with precious metals There is somethinguniquely satisfying about taking a flat sheet of metal and turning itinto a beautiful piece of jewellery Thats why I take pictures of thepieces as I am making them so that other people and the customerwhos item it is can enjoy seeing it progress from a blank piece ofprecious metal into the finished piece
What is favourite shop online that isnrsquot yours and why
Oh my There are so many amazing websites offering beautiful andunique handmade items but I will always take a look at Etsy to see ifthere is anything that catches my eye on there They have such a largevariety of designerssellers making almost everything but the kitchen sink(though I bet if you looked hard enough youd find one on there) Ireally enjoy the little treasuries they do too where you can browse aselection of items that are grouped together by themes
Has any person helped or supported you more than any other
I have had a lot of support from the good friends I have gained on Twitter and of coursemy real life friends have been extremely supportive too but the main reason I actuallysorted out my workroom (or corner of the utility room) was due to my husband insistingthat I start making jewellery again Luckily his insistence and support paid off virtuallystraight away when a friend asked for the octopus necklace I mentioned earlier to bemade
Tell us a random fact about yourself
I have known the sex of each child and whether Id be carrying one or more before I evenconceived them Fairly random but fact nevertheless
Kit includes seed beads 5 x handmade glass beads choker wire x 3 banglewire x 2 ring wire x 3 jewellery pliers beading mat instructions
Makes 8 fabulous and individual pieces of jewellery without the need forfiddly findings books or other money-wasters
Beaded Jewellery Kitpound12Japan Crafts
A coordinating selection of beads plus step-by-step full colour instructions to make your own version of the Jungle Collar design Learn how to work peyote stitch edge it with drops and embellish it with a lush fringe and beaded flowers and leaves Let your beading imagination run wild
Each kit is hand-picked and slightly different so the beads you receive may not be the exact onesshown in the photograph but you can be certain that your necklace will be uniqueThe kit comes carefully packaged in a handy reusable storage box the only things yoursquoll need inaddition are a beading needle a spool of nylon beading thread and some sharp scissors
Beadweaving Kit for Jungle Collar
pound38Lynn Davy
Fairy Earrings Jewellery Making Kit - Ages 7yrs+
pound5Jewellery Making Kits
These single kits are fabulous for all crafty and creative girls They also make great presents for school friends nieces sisters or even grown ups Each kit includes Sterling Silver earwires or studs a small selection of flowers for the skirt a pair of wings a few coloured glass pearls for the heads silver headpin Organza Bag Full set of instructionsSuitable for ages 7 years and up Requires a pair of pliers to finish off - all instructions included
Bracelet Kit - Chunky Swarovski Pearl and Crystal with Toggle Clasp
pound750Wonderstuff Craft Kits
A little kit of bronze Swarovski pearls and Golden Shadow Swarovski crystals silk and toggle clasp
Kit includes 11 x Swarovski 12mm Pearls Colour - Soft Bronze 3 x Swarovski Crystal 8mm Rondelles - Colour - Golden Shadow 8 x Swarovski Crystal 4mmBicones Colour - Light Colorado Topaz 1 x Silver Plated Toggle Bar 1 x Silver plated Toggle RingBracelet length of threading silk Instructions
This kit contains top quality beads to make an exquisite braceletno special tools are needed
Jewellery making kits
from the small crafterWersquove found a selection of wonderful beading kits for allages and experience These are not massed producedsets but offered by the small crafter
This article was created by The Crystal Lady httpwwwmysticearthcouk
This Months
This months lsquoMan of the Monthrsquo is Ade (Adrian)EdmondsonChosen by MegampMillie
This months lsquoLady of the Monthrsquo is GwenStefaniChosen by Claire Pearcy from Elderberry Arts
httpwwwgwenstefanicom
httpwwwunrealitytvcouklets-dance-for-comic-relieflets-dance-for-comic-relief-results-ade-edmondson-and-eighties-super-group-make-next-weeks-final
(Nothing like an April Fools)
This months lsquoBlog of the Month Awardrsquo goes to lsquoItrsquos All Fiddle Fartrsquo
httpitsallfiddlefartblogspotcom
This months lsquoShop of the Month Awardrsquo goes to lsquoJulias DriftwoodFurniturersquo
httpwwwfolksycomshopsseasandview123
ww
wc
reativ
e-cr
afting
co
mw
ww
cr
eative-c
on
nec
tion
snin
gc
om
CREATIVE CRAFTING
Our next issue will be available to read on
1st June 2010If you have missed any of our issues you
can find them to read on our websitewwwcreative-craftingcom
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Issue 5
By Crafters for Crafters
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CraftersDirectory
CREATIVE CRAFTING
By Crafters for Crafters
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Projects
Have youbeen
featured
By Crafters for Crafters
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By
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Issue 4
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eck out our
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Issu
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By Craf
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Chec
k out our
Crafters
Directory
CREATIVE
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RAFTINGAU
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ALLO
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sue
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TIVE
CRAF
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By Craf
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AUTUMN HALLOWEEN 2010
Issue 7CREATIVE CRAFTING
By Crafters for Crafters
Check out our
CraftersDirectory
Anniversary
Issue
CHRISTMAS 2010
Issue 8
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FATHERS DAY 2010
Issue 4
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Crafters
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EASTER 2010
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VALENTINES 2011Issue 9
CREATIVE CRAFTING
Everyone can wear some type of hat or fascinator its just a matter of finding the right one to suityou
There are some amazing British professional milliners working today not least including thelikes of Stephen Jones and Phillip Treacy but you will also find in the UK some wonderful millinersselling their designs on Etsy each producing unique designs to put the perfect finish to any outfitwhatever the occasion
Off With Her Head is run by self taught designer and milliner Lisa Poolewhose designs are fuelled by a love of vintage fashion and moviecostumes
Based in Fife Scotland she prides herself on creating each piece by handand loves to create bespoke pieces for her customers
Off With Her Head focuses on creating vintage inspired pieces andalthough Lisa creates hats and fascinators from various eras in historyshe admits to being a little biased towards the 1950rsquos as its her favouritedecade for fashion
Whatever direction Off With Her Head takes the ethos behind the businessremains the same - quality hats and fascinators at a reasonable price
Off With Her Head ndash Vintage Inspired Millinery
Etsy Store httpwwwetsycomshopmadamequeenyWebsite wwwoffwithherheadcouk
Annalisa Maria Millinery
Annalisa of Annalisa Maria Millinery has always adored hats andbeing the type of person who loves to make things she quitenaturally became interested in millinery
Trained at Kensington and Chelsea college famous for itsmillinery alumni where she learnt all the basics of the trade
She now works out of her London home producing beautifulone of a kind hats and head pieces
Etsy Store wwwetsycomshopdesignsbyannalisa
With so much choice there is absolutely no excuse not to finish your outfit with stunning hatfascinator or headpiecehellip and as they say
Written By Lisa PooleFrom Off With Her Headwwwoffwithherheadcouk
Ella Gajewska is a professional milliner working in London Hats are thelove of her life She has been working as a milliner since 1996 thoughher passion for hats started much earlier in her childhood when Ellacreated hats for her dolls to give them a bit more of an extravagantlook
Having achieved success in Poland where she was a milliners ateliermanager and an inspiring teacher for other young milliners she decidedto take her chances in London the world capital of hats
Since 2001 Ella Gajewska has had the chance of working for renownedateliers and milliners Working in England alongside the best designersof various head wear she has had the chance to develop and perfecther skills even more
Ella Gajewska
Etsy Store wwwetsycomshopEllaGajewskaWebsite wwwellagajewskacom
Little Miss B Design
Little Miss B started out making hats and accessories for herselfand friends uninspired by what was available on the high streetShe decided that shersquod like to give a wider audience the chanceto own a unique Little Miss B creation so began her foray intofashion and millinery
Her inspirations comes from days gone by when style andglamour were more apparent and the quality of craftsmanshipwas high From the 1920s to the 1960s vintage to rockabillyLittle Miss B brings it to the present day with a modern twist
Etsy Store httpwwwetsycomshopLittleMissBDesign
Ive always been artistic in one form or another As a child I always paintedand drew a lot At school I did everything from make a wooden fish pencilholder perspex badges pottery and childrens toys I was very into pencildrawings and shading but I loved using watercolour and other textures formy more cartoonManga style art
I was never very good at what back then was deemed the Girlie stuff I wasmore into woodwork and moulding and graphics This is probably what mademe choose my Bachelor of Science Degree in Architectural Technology Formy degree we used a lot of CAD (Computer Aided Design) to design buildings and building materialsWe also had to craft models of some of our own designs with foam board and other materials I wasin my element with this part of the curriculum
The great thing about craftdesignmaking things - whatever you want to call it is that there is a freedom in Art that you do not get anywhere else There is no right and wrong and no rules The rules come later At the point of concept it is just you and your imagination Which is very liberating and also quite scary because we are conditioned to think within the constraints of rules Art has no rules
Dianes Celebrity ChatsOur lovely Di from Peggyrsquos Knits chats to another celebrity about crafting
Tanya has worked on a number of shows the most recent being the character Adele Alfrey in ITVrsquos Emmerdale She has also worked on other familiar shows with awardwinning producers directors and writers She starred in the BBCcomedy Kerching Her first professional role was in Holby CityShe is also an accomplished presenter and budding playwrightTanya is a former student of the National Youth TheatreTanya told me how she has been artistic about how she sees artand her views on crafting
Please all take a look at Tanyarsquos website which ishttpwwwtanyavitalcom
What you will needFleece material - To determine the size needed- measure the circumference of your head(around your ears) and add 12 inch for seamallowance This will be the width and the lengthmeasurement is 20 inchesCotton thread in the same or contrasting colour
Average Head Sizes -
Newborn (6 months and younger)Circumference 14 to 17 inchesCrown 8 to 10 inches
Infant (6 to 12 months)Circumference 16 to 19 inchesCrown 11 to 12 inches
Child (12 months to 3 years)Circumference 18 to 20 inchesCrown 11 to 12 inches
Step 1 Lay out your fleece on a flat surface anddraw out a rectangle using the measurements forthe hat size required This should be 20 inches longand the width will be the circumference measurementof the size hat your making plus 12 inch seamallowance So to make a hat for a child with a headcircumference of 15 inches the width should be15 12 inches
Claire from Elderberry Arts shows us how to make achildrens hat from fleece material
Why not experiment this Easter holiday
Below are easy to follow instructions and a sizing guide
Thin length of fleece approx 12 inches by12 inchRuler or tape measureTailors chalk or penScissorsPinsSewing needles or sewing machine
Elderberrry Arts
Step 4 Place the right sides of the fleecetogether and pin along the length of thematerial Sew along this edge either by handor machine Knot ends and sewing inside thehem You can trim this hem to make it even andneater if needed
Step 5 Turn the hat right side out andarrange it so the seam is in the middleback From the bottom of your hatmeasure the crown length and place thefleece strip under the hat at this point
Step 6 Tie the ends of thestrip together and pull tightto gather hat
Step 7 Now cut the topsection of the hat into stripsapproximately 12 inch wide
Once youve cut all the wayround the strips can be trimmedto shorten them if required
You could also thread plastic ponybeads on some or all of the stripsknotting the bottom to secure them
Step 2 Cut out the rectangleof fleece Then cut a strip 12inches by 12 inch of fleecefrom the leftover material
Step 3 Pin a hem approx12 inch wide across theshorter length of fleece
Sew either by hand or machineKnot ends and sewing insidethe hem
Written by Elderberry Artshttpwwwelderberryartscouk
Rug Making Ragtag RugsWith
Looking for something fabulous to make using all your old T-shirts sweat shirts and other disusedgarments If so this could be the project for you
The craft of making rag rugs is very traditional and dates backto the mid eighteen hundreds itrsquos still very relevant today whatwith the importance of recycling the other great thing aboutit is that the design on the rug can pretty much be whateveryou want it to be - an image of your pet or your house anabstract or geometric design or something floral traditionalhellip itrsquos totally up to you and your imagination
The technique Irsquoll be using for this project is a method calledlsquohookingrsquo which is very simple and produces a soft and hardwearing pile Irsquove tried to keep everything simple and equipment to a minimum so that everyone canhave a go My favourite fabrics to use are the afore mentioned T-shirts and sweat shirts as they frayvery little but most textiles of a medium thickness can be used
MaterialsVirtually any material can be used in a rag rug some materials are easier to work with than othersThe best materials to use for hooking include T-shirts sweat shirts lightweight cottonssynthetics amplightweight woolsynthetic jumpers Fabrics such as heavy weight denim are not suitableFor this project Irsquove used plain fabrics but patterned fabrics can also be used
HookingStep 1 Working with the Hessian design side up poke the hook through the Hessian and grab thestrip of fabric underneath with the hook
Step 2 Pull the end of the strip of fabric up through the Hessian so that you leave a tail of at least1 cm sticking up
Step 3 Move the hook along about half a centimeter poke it back down through the Hessian andpull a loop of fabric up through to the top of the Hessian a loop height of about 1 cm is best thenjust repeat this technique filling in the required area when you reach the end of a fabric strip pullthe end up through the Hessian and trim it so itrsquos the same height as the loopsMake sure your loops are dense enough and you canrsquot see any of the Hessian backing There is noneed to physically fix the loops in place as they will stay put automatically due to the thickness ofThe fabric and the denseness of the loops
What you will needA piece of Hessian measuring 90 cm x 110 cmSelection of fabrics cut into strips measuring1 - 2 cm wide depending on the thickness ofthe fabric and avoid any seamsRug hookDressmakers pinsScissors
Large-eyed needleBall of woolMarker penYard stick metre ruler2 sheets of thin A4 card or a flattened cereal packetCompassPencil
Ragtag Rugs Rug Making Ragtag RugsWith
Step 1 Using the compass and pencildraw two circles measuring 185 cmacross on the sheets of card and cut theseout using the scissors
Step 2 Using the marker pen and metre rule draw a rectangle on the piece of Hessian measuring63 cm x 84 cm leaving a boarder of about 12 cm all the way around the rectangle Divide therectangle into four giving you central lines for the width and length of the rug Place the card spotson the Hessian in the appropriate places and draw around them using the marker pen for the halfand quarter spots fold one of the card templates accordingly and then draw around it Draw in yourdesigns within the spots
Step 3 Fold under the raw edges of the Hessian and stitch with arunning stitch using the large-eyed needle and wool this is to preventthe Hessian fraying selvedge edges can be left as they are
Step 4 Hook in the strips of fabrics filling in the spots first and then thebackground You can either use the design shown here or make up yourown spots and colour scheme
Step 5 When completed lay the rug face down on the floor and turn in a hem of about 6 cms tothe back of the rug and pin it all the way around fold and pin the corners as neatly as possibleSew the hem to the back of the rug with a running stitch using the large-eyed needle and woolVoila You have a rug
wwwfolksycomshopsragtagrugs
Written by Ragtag Rugs
SupplierFor an American Style Rug Hook costing about pound750 and also Hessian go to Fred Aldous CraftSupplies wwwfredaldouscouk
NoteSome people prefer to use a rug making frame which helps to keep the rugsquare but as the rug wersquore making here is fairly small and wersquore keepingthings simple Irsquove dispensed with this
The first item I sold online was on my Folksy shop(httpwwwfolksycomshopsLaurabyTheSea) and was a vintage ceramic andbead brooch the buyer was very pleased with it and gave me great feedback
Tell us about yourselfMy name is Laura and I live by the sea in the East of England Pakefield to be precise I live with my wonderful Brother who is a musician so we have a very creative household and in our bright conservatory I make ldquoLaura by The Seardquo jewellery (from necklaces brooches amp bracelets to ear rings and hair slides) using vintage ceramics I break vintage crockery hand sand it to ensure there are no sharp edges and make the shards into beautiful jewellery
When did your crafting begin and whyI began studying ceramics during my BA Hons degree in Fine Art at The University of Portsmouthwhich is where my obsession for vintage crockery began to grow Initially I began by making newplates and tea cups with vintage shards in but soon the beauty of the ceramic shards startedappealing to me which is when I had the idea of making jewellery out of them - and one day I justdid it and havenrsquot stopped since I just love how the cute patterns really stand out against the silverchain
What was the first item you made to sell online
What is your biggest crafting achievement and why
I think my biggest crafting achievement since starting Laura by The SeaJewellery has to be getting interviewed for the national ldquoMAKE Jewelleryrdquomagazine as their new ldquoIt accessoryrdquo designer I totally didnrsquot expect themto contact me via my Folksy store
Other than crafting what else do you like to do
In my spare time I like to paint I write I stronglybelieve it is the simple things in life that count I am a collectorof anything old with a story and pick up anything found on the seashore First morning sunshine trawling antique treasure troves walks on the sand with my pooch Sepia tones and seeing life through a lens makes me happy I do a photographyfashion blog(laurabytheseatumblrcom) and am a very sociable person These are a fewof my favourite things and yes that should include raindrops on roses andbrown paper packages tied up with string
Where would you like to be in 5 years
In 5 years time I would love to be able to do this on a full time basis tomake enough money to live I am aiming to have my jewellery sold in manyUK wide independent stores and hopefully a few abroad However theultimate dream is to have my jewellery featured in Vogue
The first item I sold online was on my Folksy shop(httpwwwfolksycomshopsLaurabyTheSea) and was a vintage ceramic andbead brooch the buyer was very pleased with it and gave me great feedback
Where does your inspiration come from
My inspiration comes from trawling antique and vintage shops photography (one of my current favphotographers is Elizabeth Sarah from America) and I am always inspired by other people When Iget talking with my friends about anything creative the juices start flowing and I get more designideas I am also inspired and work along with music (anything from RampB amp Hip-hop to Reggae andJazz I have an eclectic mix)
What are your favourite materials and why
Vintage ceramics because I adore the vintage floral prints on the crockeryand like the idea of being as eco-friendly as possible and like to only userecycled materials in my jewellery
What is favourite shop online that isnrsquot yours and why
My favourite online shop has to be Loglike a contemporary gift and home ware store with vintageelements The owner makes cute candlesticks from vintage plates and saucers that look amazing onmy coffee table (see httpwwwfolksycomshopsLoglike)
Has any person helped or supported you more than any other
I would have to say my parents and Brother Not just financially when Iwas a poor struggling student but they are supportive with everything Ido in life and I just couldnrsquot do without them My brother is more like abest friend
Tell us a random fact about yourself
I have 23 dresses in my wardrobe and have a vinyl collection of mostly 1980rsquos music (my guiltypleasure)
httpwwwfolksycomshopsLaurabyTheSea
Visit
Lauraat
in the GardenHi Irsquom Tina
Good to have you visit with me again in The GardenI think we will sit in the conservatory this morning the sun is juststreaming in it is so wonderful to feel the warmth after such a coldwinter I have the kettle on and some little iced biscuits butremember we must not over indulge me especially as I have notbeen working in the garden so much just sitting in doors munching
Well Spring is here at last and it does seem to be in a hurrythis year the crab apple is already in bud and also the fruittrees
I had my own little piece of garden and the plants therewere in my charge if I forgot to water them and theydied mother would say you have to be responsible givethem a little care and you will be rewarded with so muchbeauty and as I look around the garden today thebeauty just takes my breath awayI checked out the herbs after the winter and just look atthis monster itrsquos the parsley how great is this
Here is a photo of the willow catkins or lambs tails as mymother used to call them she was a country woman andknew every wild flower by their old country names sheloved all nature and her garden and was my inspirationfrom an early age
wwwtina-in-the-gardenblogspotcom
Also I think that this flower is really confused it is of coursean antirrhinum when I emptied the summer bedding fromthe tubs some were still fine so I planted them in thegarden and as you can see have been well rewarded Alsosome silver foliage plants which I cannot remember thename of and of course have lost thelabel they seem to think that it isalready summer
At the moment you can get into the bog it does not look half as mysterious as it does inthe summer you can even see the streamMy better half and I have one or two projects this summer well I have theideas and he makes them work howlucky am I So watch this space
Oh you have to leave well thank you again for coming be safe until your next visit withme in The Garden
Your green fingered friendTina
The bluebells are coming throughin the wood not long now beforethey flower they have to hurrybefore the trees get their leaves
Creative CraftingAdvertise with
wwwcreative-craftingcomadvertisehtml
A mouse herecould take customers
to your store
We care about yourcraft business
Prices startfrom
only pound2
There are a lot of different crafts to choose fromThis series of articles will discover some of the more unusual and also some
old world crafts that may have been almost forgotten
This article was created by
The Crystal Ladyhttpwwwmysticearthcouk
Sold by Amazon
Knitting with Dog Hairby Anne Montgomery
Contains easy step-by-step instructions for collecting cleaningstoring and spinning your dogs fur The book includes originalknitting patterns for the novice and the pro - from mittens toshawls to lace collars from your cats hair
How to Knit a Dog Hair Sweater
E-How
The brushed undercoat of a dog is called chiengora and can be used for knittingcrocheting or felting just like lambs wool or other yarn Dogs hair has been used forcenturies for weaving blankets and other coverings Dogs hair is much warmer thanwool Here is how to knit a sweater from dog hair
After the tutorial the writer goes on to leave a warning that dog hair is much warmerthan wool and an entire garment made of dog hair will be too hot to wear
I also found a very fascinating article about a lady called Laurie Moy on the Boulder DailyCamera website
Better a sweater from a dog you know and love than from a sheepyoull never meet
Warp and woof-woof Making clothes out of dog hair
Read more Boulder Daily Camera
This was discovered in an American newspaper by Creative Craftings Tinawe just had to tell you about it
I did some Googling about this and apparently there is quite alot about it I found a tutorial on the popular E-How site
Irsquom sure like me yoursquoll find this quite fascinatingIf any of our spinners out there fancy a go atcreating some yarn from their pooches we wouldlove to see some of the results It is also a greatidea for recycling all of that fluff that you areconstantly sweeping up off your sofa or yourcarpet There really is a use for most things afterall
Salt dough is so quick and easy (and therapeutic) to make endlessly adaptable a joy to sharewith the kids and has the advantage of being made from store-cupboard basics (although youcould make these projects in clay or fimo or even plasticine)The drawbacks are that it takes a while to cookpaintvarnish it will dissolve in wet or very dampconditions and will break if you drop it So allow yourself a couple of days to produce a finishedpiece and varnish thoroughly when decorated to protect against any damage
Making a Batch of Salt Dough
1 Mug of Table Salt2 Mugs of Plain FlourApprox 1 Mug of Tepid Water (Add final frac14 slowly)1 Tablespoon of Olive or Vegetable Oil (Optional)
Mix the flour and salt together in a bowlIf you are using oil (which helps to add elasticity but is optional and not necessary) add it to themug of water Add the water (with or without oil) to the salt and flour mixAdd most of the water stirring into the dry ingredients with a wooden spoon Add the last of thewater carefully as you will need more or less depending on humidity and the gradequality of theflourYou need to add enough to bind the ingredients without making it too sticky Empty onto a lightlyfloured surface and knead for at least ten minutes until the dough is smooth and slightly warm
A Few Tips for Modelling Salt DoughRoll out salt dough onto a lightly floured surface with a floured rolling pin or you could use abottle if you havent got a rolling pin Gently flattening salt dough with the heels of your hands willwork too but keep moving the dough to keep it even and turn it over to the fresh smooth sidejust before you begin cutting shapesKeep the thickness of your pieces under an inch much thicker than this and they wont hardenproperly in the middleUse a sharp knife to cut salt dough shapes but a blunt knife (or the back of a knife) is useful whenmarking lines onto the dough A scalpel or craft knife is best for cutting out intricate shapesUse pastry cutters plasticine moulds forks hair grips scrubbing brushes experiment withanything you have lying around the house
Cooking Salt DoughCook your salt dough pieces slowly in a very low oven The cooler and slower the better to preventdistortion in the cooking process These pieces were cooked at 140275 degrees or Gas Mark 1 forapproximately 2 hours but I often leave them all day in the oven at its lowest setting
Heartmade Gifts
Decorating Salt DoughYou can decorate your pieces before or after the cooking process Try adding food colouringherbs and spices tea or coffee to your dough as you knead it Or try painting your uncooked piecewith an egg wash for a lovely golden glowExperiment with various mediums on cooked pieces Gouache and acrylics work well but posterpaint is fine (if a little limited in colour variation) and you could try chalks felt tips or crayonsUse glue to add decorations including glitter sequins fabric bows tiny scraps of paper etcIts nice to leave the dough perfectly natural sometimes and sometimes a combination of naturaldough and painted areas works very wellVarnish thoroughly Any varnish will work I tend to use a spray varnish as a first coat to set thepaints then I add a few coats of a super store own brand wood varnish (If you need yourfinished piece to be especially waterproof try yacht varnish but be aware that it will tend tochange the colours making them yellowish)Use a small brush to get into all the nooks and crannies and allow each coat to dry thoroughlybefore applying the next one The more coats you apply the better protected your final pieceHowever unvarnished salt dough I have made for personal use (or the odd forgotten piece) hassurvived very well even in a slightly damp old house So dont let a lack of varnish deter you fromtrying salt dough But if you are creating a family heirloom four or five coats of a good varnish willensure it lasts for yearsTry these two Easter projects the ldquoEgg-stra Specialrdquo eggs are very quick and simple enough to dowith small children the primrose basket takes a while and is a little fiddly but well worth tryingand very easy to adapt by choosing your own flower or perhaps some other motif
~ Egg-stra Special Eggs ~
1 Form an egg shape from a small ball of dough by rolling in your hands and pressthis gently onto your baking tray(Its easier to build your salt dough pieces directly onto the tray you will use tocook them rather than try and move them while they are still uncooked I havebuilt my eggs onto the kitchen surface because it will be easier for you to see whatIm doing)
2 Roll out a piece of salt dough and use it to cover the bottom end of youregg like a blanket When you are happy with the position gently lift andrun a wet paintbrush between the two pieces to glue them together
3 Cut out an egg cup shape around your egg
4 Use a damp paintbrush to push the egg cup onto the eggand ensure it sticks
(A damp paintbrush also helps soften edges and blend any creases or cracks)
5 Uncurl an old metal paperclip and push into the dough to form a hangingloop You can use a piece of any wire I try and use paperclips or a piece of wire
coat-hanger as I like to recycle An alternative hanging method is to create a smallhole (or two holes for larger pieces) and thread a ribbon or piece of leather shoelacethrough the hole tying it to make a loop)
6 Cut out a small bow shape from a piece of flattened dough
7 Cut two ribbon ends from a rectangle of flattened dough
8 Use a wet paintbrush to layer the ribbon ends onto thetop of your egg
9 Attach the bow in position And add a small piece to the centre ofthe bow to finish
10 Cook
11 Decorate in whatever way takes your fancy hellip have fun
~ Primrose Basket ~
1 Cover a bowl in greaseproof paper and turn upside down onto your baking tray
2 Roll out some dough to approx 5mm thickness and cut into thin stripslong enough to cover your bowl
3 Lay four of these strips across the bottom ofyour bowl
4 Begin weaving four in the opposite direction by gently liftingalternate strips out of the way laying the cross strip and replacingthe lifted strips
5 Then add one strip to each side until you reach the edge of the bowl
6 Trim the edge with a knife or fold the stripsback to form a rough bowl lip You can indentsomething on the dough to secure anddecorate
7 Cook
8 Carefully remove the bowl and paper
9 Make primrose flowers and leaves and glue them to the rim with a wetpaintbrush replacing your bowl in the oven for a short whileLeaves ndash cut rough leaf shapes out of a piece of flatted dough and mark theveins and indent the edges with the back of a knifeFlowers ndash use a small heart cutter to cut 5 heart shapes and place on the rim with pointstogether indenting the centre with your fingertip and then marking with the end of a paintbrushPaint with whichever medium you prefer or have to hand I have used acrylics here leaving thebasket natural and painting the primrose leaves green and the flowers yellow adding someorange to the centres of the flowers while the yellow is still damp for a blurred effect
This article was written by Diannefrom Heartmade Gifts
Join Heartmade Gifts on Facebook
wwwheartmadegiftswordpresscom
Lilac Lace Heart LocketJewellery by Bina
Vintage Victorian StyledSweetheart Locket
Miss Bohemia
pound17
pound15
Emerald Bewitched
youmin
$40
The Bright Forest Locket
marisolspoon
$35
Cameral Locket
mydogandi
$2750
Creative CraftingFavourite
This article was created by
The Crystal Ladyhttpwwwmysticearthcouk
Lockets may sound very old fashioned but if you have a wander through thehandmade sites you will find a wealth of very modern and extremely beautifuldesigns Perfect for you to carry your loved ones with you wherever you go
Bee Joyful LocketThe Whimsical Wren
pound10
SteampunkWatch Mechanism
Locketedmdesigns
$85
Luscious LocketsLuscious Lockets
Who likes Chocolate CakeThis is a great recipe for Easter Mothers day or any other daylets admit it we all love chocolate
Ingredients
7 oz self raising flour8 oz caster sugar1 teaspoon of salt2 tablespoons of cocoa powder4 oz margarine2 eggs beaten with5 tablespoons evaporated milk5 tablespoons water1 teaspoon vanilla essence
1 Sift together flour sugar and salt and cocoa2 Rub in margarine3 Stir in eggs essence and liquids then beat well4 Grease and flour 2 8 inch cake tins divide the mixture between them5 Bake in a moderate over 325-350 F gas mark 3 about 35 minutes6 When cold sandwich together and cover in milk chocolate icing
Milk chocolate Icing
Ingredients
2 and a half oz margarine or butter4 tablespoons cocoa8 oz sieved icing sugar3 tablespoons hot milk1 teaspoon vanilla essence
Melt the margarine or butter and blend incocoa powder then stir in icing sugar milkand vanilla essence Beat until smooth andthick
We hope you all enjoy the recipe we would love to see anypictures of chocolate cakes that you make
Instructions
Instructions
Written and reviewed by Peggyrsquos Knitshttppeggyscollectionwebscom
By Sprinkles Sparkleshttpwwwsprinklessparklescouk
All prices are correct at the time of publication
Budget amp LuxurySpring special
Woodland DaffodilsCharm Bracelet
Coco Angel Rosepound1600
Spring Flower Hair ClipFlutter2me
pound450
Spring flowers broochDi Does Craft
pound800
Pink Spring Clutchfunky diva designs
pound1750
Cupcake BuntingCotton Cottage
pound1650
Purple TulipsWildrose Ridge
pound350
Chickadees and LilacsStained Glass WindowStained Glass Addie
pound4940
The Charlotte - SageRosalind Jamespound14500
Springtime 16 Crayon RollApple n Amos
pound509
Buttercup earrings in softyellow with peridot and brass
Goblins Marketpound401
Springtime DalaFolk Horse HangingDecoration - YellowCourt and Spark
pound400
D A P H N E - BrokenChina Plate Pendant
and Sterling Silver NecklaceDesigns by Mila
pound2228
To make the leaves
Using DK yarn and 300 mm hook make 5 leaves as follows
Rnd 1 9ch dc in 2nd ch 1htr in next ch 1tr in each of next 6ch 3ch ss in base of last tr worked
Now work on opposite side of stitches by turning the work
Rnd 2 3ch 1tr in each of next 6ch 1htr in next ch dc ss in top of first stFasten off and sew in loose ends
Materials
Small quantity of DK yarn I have used a yarn with awool-mix but any DK yarn of your choice will be suitableSmall quantity of kid mohair yarn (use two strands together)300 mm hook200 mm hookOne large buttonBrooch pinSewing needle
To make the small rose
Using a 200 mm hook and working two strands of kid mohair yarn together 13ch
Rnd 1 1tr 2ch 1tr in 4th ch (skip 2ch 1tr 2ch 1tr in next ch) 3 times (4 v- spaces)
Rnd 2 3ch 6tr into next v-space 1dc into space between v-spaces Continue with 6tr into eachv-space and 1dc in between spaces until end ss into last ch Fasten off
Roll the work with fingers from start to finish to create a small rose flower and sew together at thebase
Assembling the brooch
Turn the flower so the right side is facing up and sew the button in the centre of the flowerAttach the rose to the centre of the button as shown in diagram Sew a brooch pin to the back of theflower to complete the brooch
Arrange the 5 leaves to form a circle so thecorners of the leaves are touching Sew eachcorner together to form the petals of aflower
Turn the work so the wrong side is facing upand close the hole by sewing together withthe same DK yarn used to make the leaves
Crochet Flower Brooch
ch - chain stitchdc - double crochethtr - half treble crochetss - slip stitchtr - treble crochetst - stitch
Crochet Mobile PhoneiPod Cosy
Materials
50g Dk yarn in mustard colourSmall quantity of DK yarn in bright pink for picot edgingof cosy and small roseSmall quantity of DK yarn in sage green for leaves of roseflowerSize 300mm hook
Instructions for the cosy
The cosy can be made to fit a mobile phoneiPod of your choice
Pattern note the pattern is worked in dc throughout and worked in the round using the tapestrycrochet method of crochet This involves carrying a second yarn below the first making it verystrong
Foundation row
Using one strand of DK yarn in mustard make a chain that measures the width of your mobilephoneipod
Rnd 1 dc across row until the last chain 2dc in last chain Turn work
Rnd 2 Begin to carry a second strand of mustard yarn throughouteach round and every round from now on This yarn is not worked butcarried below the first strand of yarn
Work along the opposite side of the row just worked 1dc in first ch1ch in each chain until the last chain 2dc in last chain Now mark thelast stitch just worked with a different colour yarn so you can see theend of the round and keep moving this marker up to the last stitchworked
Rnd 3 Dc in each chain around working in spirals moving the stitchmarker as the piece grows Continue until the work measures thedesired length to fit the mobileiPod Fasten off and tie in loose ends
ch - chain stitchdc - double crochethtr - half treble crochetss - slip stitchtr - treble crochetst - stitch
Instructions for rose flower
Rnd 1 Using DK yarn in bright pink 1tr 2ch 1tr in 4th ch (skip 2ch1tr 2ch 1tr in next ch) 3 times (4 v- spaces)
Rnd 2 3ch 6tr into next v-space 1dc into space between v-spacesContinue with 6tr into each v-space and 1dc in between spaces untilend ss into last ch Fasten off
Roll the work with fingers from start to finish to create a small rose flower and sew together at thebase
Instructions for leaves
Using DK yarn and 300mm hook make 2 leaves as follows
Rnd 1 5ch dc in 2nd ch 1htr in next ch 1tr in each of next 2ch 3ch ss in base of last tr workedNow work on opposite side of stitches by turning the work
Rnd 2 3ch 1tr in each of next 2 ch 1htr in next ch dc ss in top of first st Fasten off and sew inloose ends
Assembly
Sew the leaves to the reverse of the rose and attach to the cosy as shown in the picture
Picot edging
Rnd 1 Using DK yarn in bright pink dc into each stitch around the edge of the cosy opening ss tofirst dc
Rnd 2 3ch ss into 2nd chain from hook ss into base of 3ch dc into next 2ch 3ch continuefrom to ss into last ch Fasten off and sew in loose ends
Written by Andrea Lesley Crochethttpwwwfolksycomshopsandrealesleycrochet
Materials
T - shirt - colour your choiceScissorsChainSewing needle and threadCorsage or embellishments
Step 1 First get a plain whitet-shirt
Step 2 Then cut off the neck Step 3 Now sew two pieces of chain to each side of where theneckline should be
Step 4 Cut a triangle out ofthe bottom of the t-shirt
Step 5 Tie the two ends thatare left into a knot or bow
Step 6 Finally add a corsageor flower to the front
Step 7 Now you have a bang on trend crop top simply wear over a vest top I loved designing andgokking up this t-shirt it took minutes and didnt cost a lot either
Corsage made by Madam SalamihttpwwwetsycomshopMadamSalami
Written By Heidi Jackson
Favourite finds from around the crafting communityThis months focus is Easter and Spring
Click on the images to take you to their store
Online StreetMISI
Ring With A FlowerBlue Fish Handmade
pound800
Spring necklace in glassand sterling silver
RosieJo Jewellerypound1275
Easter Eggs CardNaomi Constable
pound250
FOLKSY
Easter rabbit cushionwith choccie eggs
Phoebelinas Treasurespound500
Easter Knitted BagsFluerette
pound300
Small Gorgeous FeltSpring Bouquets
Spare Minute Productionspound2000
WOW THANK YOU
Green And Brown PetalFlower Bracelet
Sprinkles Sparklespound3750 inc pampp
Handmade Pink Canvas Wall Art(Set of 3)
Craft on Canvaspound3900 inc pampp
Blue Easter ChickDharmapaintings
pound12 20 inc pampp
All prices correct at the time of publication
Favourite finds from around the crafting communityThis months focus is Easter and Spring
Click on the images to take you to their store
Best PicksUGLY BE GONE
Handpainted DottyDolly Pegs
Ticketty Boopound650
Quirky Motifs ShopperRachael Taylor
pound1500
Collette the Cow BibBaby Boutique
pound1100
The Cutie Pie - recycledpaper butterfly shadow boxThe WingSpan Collection
pound6421
Easter 1 Square PendantHappy Easter Spring Flowers
Miss Gooseberry Pendantspound321
ETSY
RETROEasterplastic springfling daisy clip-on earringsamber brown makes art
pound208ARTFIRE
Easter Egg Mini Cards 2x2 6Peculiar Parchment
pound170
Spring Chicks - Little FusedGlass Dish - Easter Gift
First Light Glasspound926
4 Chocolate Easter ParadeBunny Lollipops extra large
Candy Cottagepound741
All prices correct at the time of publication
What you will need3 x 10 inch lengths of purple Cylon cord10mm silver plated lobster clasp and clasp tag2 x silver plated fold over necklace endsApprox 24 Rose Quartz gemstone chip beads(holes need to be large enough to thread onelength of the cylon cord though)2 x 4mm silver plated jump rings
Rose Quartz is the stone of unconditionalloveIt purifies and opens the heart helping thewearer to love themselves as well as others
Rose Quartz draws off negative energy andhelps release unexpressed emotions
Encourages self forgiveness and acceptanceaids self trust and self worth
I find it easier to use a macrame board for making this type of bracelet as it make it easier tokeep the design neat but its not essential I use a simple board made from a cork notice boardand pins I also use nylon nosed pliers to fold over the necklace ends as I find metal pliers oftenleave marks but again they arent essential
Step 2 Thread a chip bead onto each of the outer lengths ofcord
Step 3 Cross the outer cordsover the middle one as youwould in a braid Then braid thecords again
Step 1 Attach one of thenecklace ends to one end ofthe three lengths of CyloncordYou can then use the hole inthe end to attach the braceletto your board
Make a Rose Quartz Bracelet
Step 6 Attach the secondnecklace end to the three cordwithout cutting them as it makesit easier The ends can then betrimmed with a craft knife orsharp scissors
Step 7 Using the jump ringsattach the clasp to one end ofthe bracelet and the clasp tagto the other
Step 4 Thread two chip beadson to the new outer lengths ofcord and braid as in the previousstep
Step 5 Repeat step three and four untilthe bracelet reaches seven inchesor your desired length
(The clasp section will measureapproximately one inch)
If the cord ends become frayed they canbe fixed with a little super glue
Step 8 And there you areOne finished rose quartzbracelet
Would you like to share a craft project with Creative Crafting
Let us know what project you would like toshare with us
Anything from jewellery knitting and crochetcrafts paper crafts or a craft you feel hasbeen forgotten about
Email thecrystalladycreative-craftingcom
Written by Elderberry Artshttpwwwelderberryartscouk
To those who are not yet aware Prince William and Kate Middleton will tie the knot this month onFriday 29th April in a quiet little ceremony at Westminster Abbey To some this may mean getting aday off to celebrate the nuptials or actually attend the whole affair To others like myself who areself-employed there will be no day off and hence little difference from a normal day but we can stillbe happy for the two love birds entering a state of marital bliss for the first timeIn these uncertain economic times I am not sure how the Royal Wedding will affect the economyhow much money will people want to spend Will this mean street parties like those that dominatemany peoplersquos memories from Prince Charles and Dianarsquos wedding back in 1981 Will there be arush to purchase ridiculously crass lsquosouvenirrsquo mugs plates tea towels or will the market just not bethere at all with all the unsold Royal Wedding goods in the pound shops by JuneThe handmade and crafting sector needs to be aware of the sales potential created by this Royalevent and so products should be made available to support the celebrations and possibly make thecountry feel good about itself again Maybe a lovely warm spring day in April will be good for thecountry and make it forget its economic woes for a few hoursWe asked a number of our sellers about their experience of the last big Royal Wedding (Charles andDiana) and what they are going to do this time to celebrate There were mixed feelings ndash manywere too young to remember much about the 1981 event and even though I remember a day offfrom school I cannot remember any street parties or spontaneous Mardi Gras This time around Ithink money will be a big factor and most people will not stray too far from a bit of home baking inred white and blue and also a show of patriotic bunting Union Jacks are quite the lsquoin thingrsquo at themoment for interior design and so a patriotic statement may double as being hip and trendy
Kim Lampard of Zigzag Bunting thinks a great way tocelebrate the Royal Wedding is to make your own buntingShe suggests pulling together a pile of fabrics that you nolonger need but that hold cherished memories for you forexample your daughterrsquos first cute dress a tea-towel youbought on a special holiday an old bedspread made by your
Granny Even if the items are damaged so cannot be passed on to others there is always a littlecorner that can be cut up into a triangle to make a bunting flag Mix a few of these together and ifyou have enough for a colour scheme (such as red white and blue) fine but donrsquot worry the flagsdonrsquot even need to be the same size Sometimes a shabby chic lsquoMix and Matchrsquo approach turns outto be perfect Sew the fabric triangles onto a piece of ribbon or bias tape and you will have awonderful string of bunting to decorate for the special day You and your family will remember notonly the Royal Wedding when you bring out that bunting but have extra glimpses of their past inthe fabrics Definitely a memento to cherish
Gaye Weekes of A amp V Designs now lives in Snowdonia North Wales and onlyan hour away from Anglesey where the Royal couple will begin their marriedlife She has no doubt had that His Highness has been hovering over theirremote valley in his helicopter over recent months Gaye plans to be flying redwhite and green Welsh bunting for the wedding Her bunting is made fromvintage fabric from the 1950s and 1960s - a cotton heavy woven greenand cream floral and a jolly red and white gingham She adds ldquo
rdquo
This article was written by
from
httpwwwwowthankyoucouk
Karine Ait-Mohamed of The Pink Fairy Cake isFrench but now lives in England She says ldquo
rdquo In the spirit of the occasion Karinehas produced a product that combines both England and France into the celebration Shehas produced sets of two Union Jack hearts filled with lavender from Chateau la Gabelle inHaute-Provence
Lisa MacDonald of LisaMollyMacDonaldis quite enthusiastic about the weddingand getting caught up in the glamour of the
occasion ldquo
rdquo
Lou Carswell of Loubie Jewels has some prettyfantastic red white and blue jewellery which wouldbe suitable for a Royal wedding celebration She told
us ldquo
rdquo
So what can we gather from these observations It will be a nice idea to celebrate the RoyalWedding If we apply a little lsquowartimersquo austerity (handmade lends itself to recycling andupcycling) we shouldnrsquot have to spend a fortune We can step back from commercialism andbe involved in a low key but meaningful way that will make the event more memorable for itssimplicity and just a little thrift God Bless William and Kate
Tell us about yourself
My name is Sandra Ritchie I live in Cleethorpes UK with my husbandJason my 10 year old daughter Alisha my 2 year old son Alfred andour dog Dumbledore Primarily I am a housewife but in my sparetime I make jewellery of all kinds from beaded pieces to metal workbut mainly I make custom-made bespoke precious metal jewellery
When did your crafting begin and why
Many years ago I studied Jewellery and Metal Art at college andover time Ive collected the tools I needed but never got round tosetting up a workroom until 2009 when my Husband pointed outthat our Utility Room would be perfect for me to set up as aworkroom to start making jewellery again It seemed ideal Ialready had people interested in me making them some jewelleryand it meant I could stay at home and look after the children as wellas try to establish a name for myself as a Jewellery designermaker
What was the first item you made to sell online
The first item I made to sell whilst not specifically to sell online was asilver octopus necklace commissioned by an acquaintance of mine thathad seen the silver octopus necklace that I made for myself whilst atcollege and wanted one like it She has since purchased the silver andcopper entwined Dragon necklace and a commissioned silver Dragonand is back on my list for another piece to be made My number onefan I think
What is your biggest crafting achievement and why
I love all the pieces Ive created especially my Custom work but myfavourite piece of all is the Greenman necklace I was approached tomake something as a surprise for someone and was basically giventhe opportunity to produce something different to my usual pieces Ilove making pieces that are based on peoples ideas of what theywant that is really special but the Greenman necklace was mydesign based on what the customer wanted it to represent I had toteach myself etching for the piece as its something Id never learntand Im really pleased with how it worked out
Other than crafting what else do you like to do
I love spending time with my children and family I love baking andcooking too and I suppose I should admit to enjoying the oddrelaxing glass (or bottle) of nice wine when the children are in bed
wwwlittlefairycultcouk
Where would you like to be in 5 years
In 5 years time Id love to be in a better financial position so I canbuy silver and make silver jewellery to sell that isnt just Custom-made Ive started sneaking a few pieces of precious metal jewellerythat are for general sale onto my site
Where does your inspiration come from
My inspiration is usually from the customers themselves They tell mewhat it is they want and I design a piece to reflect that Sometimes theyalter the design slightly to reflect more of how they want it and that isfine For my bead jewellery its usually what beads I have in myworkroom that inspire my beaded pieces I very rarely buy beads for thereason that I have a design idea and usually just buy mixed lots of beadsand work with what I have
What are your favourite materials and why
I really love working with precious metals There is somethinguniquely satisfying about taking a flat sheet of metal and turning itinto a beautiful piece of jewellery Thats why I take pictures of thepieces as I am making them so that other people and the customerwhos item it is can enjoy seeing it progress from a blank piece ofprecious metal into the finished piece
What is favourite shop online that isnrsquot yours and why
Oh my There are so many amazing websites offering beautiful andunique handmade items but I will always take a look at Etsy to see ifthere is anything that catches my eye on there They have such a largevariety of designerssellers making almost everything but the kitchen sink(though I bet if you looked hard enough youd find one on there) Ireally enjoy the little treasuries they do too where you can browse aselection of items that are grouped together by themes
Has any person helped or supported you more than any other
I have had a lot of support from the good friends I have gained on Twitter and of coursemy real life friends have been extremely supportive too but the main reason I actuallysorted out my workroom (or corner of the utility room) was due to my husband insistingthat I start making jewellery again Luckily his insistence and support paid off virtuallystraight away when a friend asked for the octopus necklace I mentioned earlier to bemade
Tell us a random fact about yourself
I have known the sex of each child and whether Id be carrying one or more before I evenconceived them Fairly random but fact nevertheless
Kit includes seed beads 5 x handmade glass beads choker wire x 3 banglewire x 2 ring wire x 3 jewellery pliers beading mat instructions
Makes 8 fabulous and individual pieces of jewellery without the need forfiddly findings books or other money-wasters
Beaded Jewellery Kitpound12Japan Crafts
A coordinating selection of beads plus step-by-step full colour instructions to make your own version of the Jungle Collar design Learn how to work peyote stitch edge it with drops and embellish it with a lush fringe and beaded flowers and leaves Let your beading imagination run wild
Each kit is hand-picked and slightly different so the beads you receive may not be the exact onesshown in the photograph but you can be certain that your necklace will be uniqueThe kit comes carefully packaged in a handy reusable storage box the only things yoursquoll need inaddition are a beading needle a spool of nylon beading thread and some sharp scissors
Beadweaving Kit for Jungle Collar
pound38Lynn Davy
Fairy Earrings Jewellery Making Kit - Ages 7yrs+
pound5Jewellery Making Kits
These single kits are fabulous for all crafty and creative girls They also make great presents for school friends nieces sisters or even grown ups Each kit includes Sterling Silver earwires or studs a small selection of flowers for the skirt a pair of wings a few coloured glass pearls for the heads silver headpin Organza Bag Full set of instructionsSuitable for ages 7 years and up Requires a pair of pliers to finish off - all instructions included
Bracelet Kit - Chunky Swarovski Pearl and Crystal with Toggle Clasp
pound750Wonderstuff Craft Kits
A little kit of bronze Swarovski pearls and Golden Shadow Swarovski crystals silk and toggle clasp
Kit includes 11 x Swarovski 12mm Pearls Colour - Soft Bronze 3 x Swarovski Crystal 8mm Rondelles - Colour - Golden Shadow 8 x Swarovski Crystal 4mmBicones Colour - Light Colorado Topaz 1 x Silver Plated Toggle Bar 1 x Silver plated Toggle RingBracelet length of threading silk Instructions
This kit contains top quality beads to make an exquisite braceletno special tools are needed
Jewellery making kits
from the small crafterWersquove found a selection of wonderful beading kits for allages and experience These are not massed producedsets but offered by the small crafter
This article was created by The Crystal Lady httpwwwmysticearthcouk
This Months
This months lsquoMan of the Monthrsquo is Ade (Adrian)EdmondsonChosen by MegampMillie
This months lsquoLady of the Monthrsquo is GwenStefaniChosen by Claire Pearcy from Elderberry Arts
httpwwwgwenstefanicom
httpwwwunrealitytvcouklets-dance-for-comic-relieflets-dance-for-comic-relief-results-ade-edmondson-and-eighties-super-group-make-next-weeks-final
(Nothing like an April Fools)
This months lsquoBlog of the Month Awardrsquo goes to lsquoItrsquos All Fiddle Fartrsquo
httpitsallfiddlefartblogspotcom
This months lsquoShop of the Month Awardrsquo goes to lsquoJulias DriftwoodFurniturersquo
httpwwwfolksycomshopsseasandview123
ww
wc
reativ
e-cr
afting
co
mw
ww
cr
eative-c
on
nec
tion
snin
gc
om
CREATIVE CRAFTING
Our next issue will be available to read on
1st June 2010If you have missed any of our issues you
can find them to read on our websitewwwcreative-craftingcom
And also on our Social Network Creative Connectionswwwcreative-connectionsningcom
To advertise in Creative Crafting or to submit an article please contact Annaat thecrystalladycreative-craftingcom
AUGUSTSUMMER 2010
Issue 5
By Crafters for Crafters
Check out our
CraftersDirectory
CREATIVE CRAFTING
By Crafters for Crafters
Issue 3
ValentinesMothers Day 2010
HandcraftedWeddingSpecial
Valentine ampMothers Day
Projects
Have youbeen
featured
By Crafters for Crafters
Issue 3ValentinesMothers Day 2010
Handcrafted
Wedding
SpecialValentine amp
Mothers Day
ProjectsHave you
been
featured
By
EASTER 2010
Issue 4
FATHERS DAY 2010
Issue 4
By Crafters for Crafters
Ch
eck out our
Craft
ersDirectory
AUGUSTSUMMER 2
010
Issu
e 5
By Craf
ters fo
r Craf
ters
Chec
k out our
Crafters
Directory
CREATIVE
C
RAFTINGAU
TUM
N H
ALLO
WEE
N 201
0Is
sue
7
CREA
TIVE
CRAF
TIN
G
By Craf
ters f
or C
rafter
s
Chec
k
out our
Craft
ersDirect
ory
An
niv
ersa
ry
Issu
e
Donrsquot forget
All of our links andadverts are fullyclickable
If you would like to embed our magazine into your website blog myspace page etc you can
customise the code to suit your style and size
AUTUMN HALLOWEEN 2010
Issue 7CREATIVE CRAFTING
By Crafters for Crafters
Check out our
CraftersDirectory
Anniversary
Issue
CHRISTMAS 2010
Issue 8
By Crafters for Crafters
FATHERS DAY 2010
Issue 4
By Crafters for Crafters
Check out our
Crafters
Directory
EASTER 2010
Issue 4
By Crafters for Crafters
By Crafters for Crafters
VALENTINES 2011Issue 9
CREATIVE CRAFTING
With so much choice there is absolutely no excuse not to finish your outfit with stunning hatfascinator or headpiecehellip and as they say
Written By Lisa PooleFrom Off With Her Headwwwoffwithherheadcouk
Ella Gajewska is a professional milliner working in London Hats are thelove of her life She has been working as a milliner since 1996 thoughher passion for hats started much earlier in her childhood when Ellacreated hats for her dolls to give them a bit more of an extravagantlook
Having achieved success in Poland where she was a milliners ateliermanager and an inspiring teacher for other young milliners she decidedto take her chances in London the world capital of hats
Since 2001 Ella Gajewska has had the chance of working for renownedateliers and milliners Working in England alongside the best designersof various head wear she has had the chance to develop and perfecther skills even more
Ella Gajewska
Etsy Store wwwetsycomshopEllaGajewskaWebsite wwwellagajewskacom
Little Miss B Design
Little Miss B started out making hats and accessories for herselfand friends uninspired by what was available on the high streetShe decided that shersquod like to give a wider audience the chanceto own a unique Little Miss B creation so began her foray intofashion and millinery
Her inspirations comes from days gone by when style andglamour were more apparent and the quality of craftsmanshipwas high From the 1920s to the 1960s vintage to rockabillyLittle Miss B brings it to the present day with a modern twist
Etsy Store httpwwwetsycomshopLittleMissBDesign
Ive always been artistic in one form or another As a child I always paintedand drew a lot At school I did everything from make a wooden fish pencilholder perspex badges pottery and childrens toys I was very into pencildrawings and shading but I loved using watercolour and other textures formy more cartoonManga style art
I was never very good at what back then was deemed the Girlie stuff I wasmore into woodwork and moulding and graphics This is probably what mademe choose my Bachelor of Science Degree in Architectural Technology Formy degree we used a lot of CAD (Computer Aided Design) to design buildings and building materialsWe also had to craft models of some of our own designs with foam board and other materials I wasin my element with this part of the curriculum
The great thing about craftdesignmaking things - whatever you want to call it is that there is a freedom in Art that you do not get anywhere else There is no right and wrong and no rules The rules come later At the point of concept it is just you and your imagination Which is very liberating and also quite scary because we are conditioned to think within the constraints of rules Art has no rules
Dianes Celebrity ChatsOur lovely Di from Peggyrsquos Knits chats to another celebrity about crafting
Tanya has worked on a number of shows the most recent being the character Adele Alfrey in ITVrsquos Emmerdale She has also worked on other familiar shows with awardwinning producers directors and writers She starred in the BBCcomedy Kerching Her first professional role was in Holby CityShe is also an accomplished presenter and budding playwrightTanya is a former student of the National Youth TheatreTanya told me how she has been artistic about how she sees artand her views on crafting
Please all take a look at Tanyarsquos website which ishttpwwwtanyavitalcom
What you will needFleece material - To determine the size needed- measure the circumference of your head(around your ears) and add 12 inch for seamallowance This will be the width and the lengthmeasurement is 20 inchesCotton thread in the same or contrasting colour
Average Head Sizes -
Newborn (6 months and younger)Circumference 14 to 17 inchesCrown 8 to 10 inches
Infant (6 to 12 months)Circumference 16 to 19 inchesCrown 11 to 12 inches
Child (12 months to 3 years)Circumference 18 to 20 inchesCrown 11 to 12 inches
Step 1 Lay out your fleece on a flat surface anddraw out a rectangle using the measurements forthe hat size required This should be 20 inches longand the width will be the circumference measurementof the size hat your making plus 12 inch seamallowance So to make a hat for a child with a headcircumference of 15 inches the width should be15 12 inches
Claire from Elderberry Arts shows us how to make achildrens hat from fleece material
Why not experiment this Easter holiday
Below are easy to follow instructions and a sizing guide
Thin length of fleece approx 12 inches by12 inchRuler or tape measureTailors chalk or penScissorsPinsSewing needles or sewing machine
Elderberrry Arts
Step 4 Place the right sides of the fleecetogether and pin along the length of thematerial Sew along this edge either by handor machine Knot ends and sewing inside thehem You can trim this hem to make it even andneater if needed
Step 5 Turn the hat right side out andarrange it so the seam is in the middleback From the bottom of your hatmeasure the crown length and place thefleece strip under the hat at this point
Step 6 Tie the ends of thestrip together and pull tightto gather hat
Step 7 Now cut the topsection of the hat into stripsapproximately 12 inch wide
Once youve cut all the wayround the strips can be trimmedto shorten them if required
You could also thread plastic ponybeads on some or all of the stripsknotting the bottom to secure them
Step 2 Cut out the rectangleof fleece Then cut a strip 12inches by 12 inch of fleecefrom the leftover material
Step 3 Pin a hem approx12 inch wide across theshorter length of fleece
Sew either by hand or machineKnot ends and sewing insidethe hem
Written by Elderberry Artshttpwwwelderberryartscouk
Rug Making Ragtag RugsWith
Looking for something fabulous to make using all your old T-shirts sweat shirts and other disusedgarments If so this could be the project for you
The craft of making rag rugs is very traditional and dates backto the mid eighteen hundreds itrsquos still very relevant today whatwith the importance of recycling the other great thing aboutit is that the design on the rug can pretty much be whateveryou want it to be - an image of your pet or your house anabstract or geometric design or something floral traditionalhellip itrsquos totally up to you and your imagination
The technique Irsquoll be using for this project is a method calledlsquohookingrsquo which is very simple and produces a soft and hardwearing pile Irsquove tried to keep everything simple and equipment to a minimum so that everyone canhave a go My favourite fabrics to use are the afore mentioned T-shirts and sweat shirts as they frayvery little but most textiles of a medium thickness can be used
MaterialsVirtually any material can be used in a rag rug some materials are easier to work with than othersThe best materials to use for hooking include T-shirts sweat shirts lightweight cottonssynthetics amplightweight woolsynthetic jumpers Fabrics such as heavy weight denim are not suitableFor this project Irsquove used plain fabrics but patterned fabrics can also be used
HookingStep 1 Working with the Hessian design side up poke the hook through the Hessian and grab thestrip of fabric underneath with the hook
Step 2 Pull the end of the strip of fabric up through the Hessian so that you leave a tail of at least1 cm sticking up
Step 3 Move the hook along about half a centimeter poke it back down through the Hessian andpull a loop of fabric up through to the top of the Hessian a loop height of about 1 cm is best thenjust repeat this technique filling in the required area when you reach the end of a fabric strip pullthe end up through the Hessian and trim it so itrsquos the same height as the loopsMake sure your loops are dense enough and you canrsquot see any of the Hessian backing There is noneed to physically fix the loops in place as they will stay put automatically due to the thickness ofThe fabric and the denseness of the loops
What you will needA piece of Hessian measuring 90 cm x 110 cmSelection of fabrics cut into strips measuring1 - 2 cm wide depending on the thickness ofthe fabric and avoid any seamsRug hookDressmakers pinsScissors
Large-eyed needleBall of woolMarker penYard stick metre ruler2 sheets of thin A4 card or a flattened cereal packetCompassPencil
Ragtag Rugs Rug Making Ragtag RugsWith
Step 1 Using the compass and pencildraw two circles measuring 185 cmacross on the sheets of card and cut theseout using the scissors
Step 2 Using the marker pen and metre rule draw a rectangle on the piece of Hessian measuring63 cm x 84 cm leaving a boarder of about 12 cm all the way around the rectangle Divide therectangle into four giving you central lines for the width and length of the rug Place the card spotson the Hessian in the appropriate places and draw around them using the marker pen for the halfand quarter spots fold one of the card templates accordingly and then draw around it Draw in yourdesigns within the spots
Step 3 Fold under the raw edges of the Hessian and stitch with arunning stitch using the large-eyed needle and wool this is to preventthe Hessian fraying selvedge edges can be left as they are
Step 4 Hook in the strips of fabrics filling in the spots first and then thebackground You can either use the design shown here or make up yourown spots and colour scheme
Step 5 When completed lay the rug face down on the floor and turn in a hem of about 6 cms tothe back of the rug and pin it all the way around fold and pin the corners as neatly as possibleSew the hem to the back of the rug with a running stitch using the large-eyed needle and woolVoila You have a rug
wwwfolksycomshopsragtagrugs
Written by Ragtag Rugs
SupplierFor an American Style Rug Hook costing about pound750 and also Hessian go to Fred Aldous CraftSupplies wwwfredaldouscouk
NoteSome people prefer to use a rug making frame which helps to keep the rugsquare but as the rug wersquore making here is fairly small and wersquore keepingthings simple Irsquove dispensed with this
The first item I sold online was on my Folksy shop(httpwwwfolksycomshopsLaurabyTheSea) and was a vintage ceramic andbead brooch the buyer was very pleased with it and gave me great feedback
Tell us about yourselfMy name is Laura and I live by the sea in the East of England Pakefield to be precise I live with my wonderful Brother who is a musician so we have a very creative household and in our bright conservatory I make ldquoLaura by The Seardquo jewellery (from necklaces brooches amp bracelets to ear rings and hair slides) using vintage ceramics I break vintage crockery hand sand it to ensure there are no sharp edges and make the shards into beautiful jewellery
When did your crafting begin and whyI began studying ceramics during my BA Hons degree in Fine Art at The University of Portsmouthwhich is where my obsession for vintage crockery began to grow Initially I began by making newplates and tea cups with vintage shards in but soon the beauty of the ceramic shards startedappealing to me which is when I had the idea of making jewellery out of them - and one day I justdid it and havenrsquot stopped since I just love how the cute patterns really stand out against the silverchain
What was the first item you made to sell online
What is your biggest crafting achievement and why
I think my biggest crafting achievement since starting Laura by The SeaJewellery has to be getting interviewed for the national ldquoMAKE Jewelleryrdquomagazine as their new ldquoIt accessoryrdquo designer I totally didnrsquot expect themto contact me via my Folksy store
Other than crafting what else do you like to do
In my spare time I like to paint I write I stronglybelieve it is the simple things in life that count I am a collectorof anything old with a story and pick up anything found on the seashore First morning sunshine trawling antique treasure troves walks on the sand with my pooch Sepia tones and seeing life through a lens makes me happy I do a photographyfashion blog(laurabytheseatumblrcom) and am a very sociable person These are a fewof my favourite things and yes that should include raindrops on roses andbrown paper packages tied up with string
Where would you like to be in 5 years
In 5 years time I would love to be able to do this on a full time basis tomake enough money to live I am aiming to have my jewellery sold in manyUK wide independent stores and hopefully a few abroad However theultimate dream is to have my jewellery featured in Vogue
The first item I sold online was on my Folksy shop(httpwwwfolksycomshopsLaurabyTheSea) and was a vintage ceramic andbead brooch the buyer was very pleased with it and gave me great feedback
Where does your inspiration come from
My inspiration comes from trawling antique and vintage shops photography (one of my current favphotographers is Elizabeth Sarah from America) and I am always inspired by other people When Iget talking with my friends about anything creative the juices start flowing and I get more designideas I am also inspired and work along with music (anything from RampB amp Hip-hop to Reggae andJazz I have an eclectic mix)
What are your favourite materials and why
Vintage ceramics because I adore the vintage floral prints on the crockeryand like the idea of being as eco-friendly as possible and like to only userecycled materials in my jewellery
What is favourite shop online that isnrsquot yours and why
My favourite online shop has to be Loglike a contemporary gift and home ware store with vintageelements The owner makes cute candlesticks from vintage plates and saucers that look amazing onmy coffee table (see httpwwwfolksycomshopsLoglike)
Has any person helped or supported you more than any other
I would have to say my parents and Brother Not just financially when Iwas a poor struggling student but they are supportive with everything Ido in life and I just couldnrsquot do without them My brother is more like abest friend
Tell us a random fact about yourself
I have 23 dresses in my wardrobe and have a vinyl collection of mostly 1980rsquos music (my guiltypleasure)
httpwwwfolksycomshopsLaurabyTheSea
Visit
Lauraat
in the GardenHi Irsquom Tina
Good to have you visit with me again in The GardenI think we will sit in the conservatory this morning the sun is juststreaming in it is so wonderful to feel the warmth after such a coldwinter I have the kettle on and some little iced biscuits butremember we must not over indulge me especially as I have notbeen working in the garden so much just sitting in doors munching
Well Spring is here at last and it does seem to be in a hurrythis year the crab apple is already in bud and also the fruittrees
I had my own little piece of garden and the plants therewere in my charge if I forgot to water them and theydied mother would say you have to be responsible givethem a little care and you will be rewarded with so muchbeauty and as I look around the garden today thebeauty just takes my breath awayI checked out the herbs after the winter and just look atthis monster itrsquos the parsley how great is this
Here is a photo of the willow catkins or lambs tails as mymother used to call them she was a country woman andknew every wild flower by their old country names sheloved all nature and her garden and was my inspirationfrom an early age
wwwtina-in-the-gardenblogspotcom
Also I think that this flower is really confused it is of coursean antirrhinum when I emptied the summer bedding fromthe tubs some were still fine so I planted them in thegarden and as you can see have been well rewarded Alsosome silver foliage plants which I cannot remember thename of and of course have lost thelabel they seem to think that it isalready summer
At the moment you can get into the bog it does not look half as mysterious as it does inthe summer you can even see the streamMy better half and I have one or two projects this summer well I have theideas and he makes them work howlucky am I So watch this space
Oh you have to leave well thank you again for coming be safe until your next visit withme in The Garden
Your green fingered friendTina
The bluebells are coming throughin the wood not long now beforethey flower they have to hurrybefore the trees get their leaves
Creative CraftingAdvertise with
wwwcreative-craftingcomadvertisehtml
A mouse herecould take customers
to your store
We care about yourcraft business
Prices startfrom
only pound2
There are a lot of different crafts to choose fromThis series of articles will discover some of the more unusual and also some
old world crafts that may have been almost forgotten
This article was created by
The Crystal Ladyhttpwwwmysticearthcouk
Sold by Amazon
Knitting with Dog Hairby Anne Montgomery
Contains easy step-by-step instructions for collecting cleaningstoring and spinning your dogs fur The book includes originalknitting patterns for the novice and the pro - from mittens toshawls to lace collars from your cats hair
How to Knit a Dog Hair Sweater
E-How
The brushed undercoat of a dog is called chiengora and can be used for knittingcrocheting or felting just like lambs wool or other yarn Dogs hair has been used forcenturies for weaving blankets and other coverings Dogs hair is much warmer thanwool Here is how to knit a sweater from dog hair
After the tutorial the writer goes on to leave a warning that dog hair is much warmerthan wool and an entire garment made of dog hair will be too hot to wear
I also found a very fascinating article about a lady called Laurie Moy on the Boulder DailyCamera website
Better a sweater from a dog you know and love than from a sheepyoull never meet
Warp and woof-woof Making clothes out of dog hair
Read more Boulder Daily Camera
This was discovered in an American newspaper by Creative Craftings Tinawe just had to tell you about it
I did some Googling about this and apparently there is quite alot about it I found a tutorial on the popular E-How site
Irsquom sure like me yoursquoll find this quite fascinatingIf any of our spinners out there fancy a go atcreating some yarn from their pooches we wouldlove to see some of the results It is also a greatidea for recycling all of that fluff that you areconstantly sweeping up off your sofa or yourcarpet There really is a use for most things afterall
Salt dough is so quick and easy (and therapeutic) to make endlessly adaptable a joy to sharewith the kids and has the advantage of being made from store-cupboard basics (although youcould make these projects in clay or fimo or even plasticine)The drawbacks are that it takes a while to cookpaintvarnish it will dissolve in wet or very dampconditions and will break if you drop it So allow yourself a couple of days to produce a finishedpiece and varnish thoroughly when decorated to protect against any damage
Making a Batch of Salt Dough
1 Mug of Table Salt2 Mugs of Plain FlourApprox 1 Mug of Tepid Water (Add final frac14 slowly)1 Tablespoon of Olive or Vegetable Oil (Optional)
Mix the flour and salt together in a bowlIf you are using oil (which helps to add elasticity but is optional and not necessary) add it to themug of water Add the water (with or without oil) to the salt and flour mixAdd most of the water stirring into the dry ingredients with a wooden spoon Add the last of thewater carefully as you will need more or less depending on humidity and the gradequality of theflourYou need to add enough to bind the ingredients without making it too sticky Empty onto a lightlyfloured surface and knead for at least ten minutes until the dough is smooth and slightly warm
A Few Tips for Modelling Salt DoughRoll out salt dough onto a lightly floured surface with a floured rolling pin or you could use abottle if you havent got a rolling pin Gently flattening salt dough with the heels of your hands willwork too but keep moving the dough to keep it even and turn it over to the fresh smooth sidejust before you begin cutting shapesKeep the thickness of your pieces under an inch much thicker than this and they wont hardenproperly in the middleUse a sharp knife to cut salt dough shapes but a blunt knife (or the back of a knife) is useful whenmarking lines onto the dough A scalpel or craft knife is best for cutting out intricate shapesUse pastry cutters plasticine moulds forks hair grips scrubbing brushes experiment withanything you have lying around the house
Cooking Salt DoughCook your salt dough pieces slowly in a very low oven The cooler and slower the better to preventdistortion in the cooking process These pieces were cooked at 140275 degrees or Gas Mark 1 forapproximately 2 hours but I often leave them all day in the oven at its lowest setting
Heartmade Gifts
Decorating Salt DoughYou can decorate your pieces before or after the cooking process Try adding food colouringherbs and spices tea or coffee to your dough as you knead it Or try painting your uncooked piecewith an egg wash for a lovely golden glowExperiment with various mediums on cooked pieces Gouache and acrylics work well but posterpaint is fine (if a little limited in colour variation) and you could try chalks felt tips or crayonsUse glue to add decorations including glitter sequins fabric bows tiny scraps of paper etcIts nice to leave the dough perfectly natural sometimes and sometimes a combination of naturaldough and painted areas works very wellVarnish thoroughly Any varnish will work I tend to use a spray varnish as a first coat to set thepaints then I add a few coats of a super store own brand wood varnish (If you need yourfinished piece to be especially waterproof try yacht varnish but be aware that it will tend tochange the colours making them yellowish)Use a small brush to get into all the nooks and crannies and allow each coat to dry thoroughlybefore applying the next one The more coats you apply the better protected your final pieceHowever unvarnished salt dough I have made for personal use (or the odd forgotten piece) hassurvived very well even in a slightly damp old house So dont let a lack of varnish deter you fromtrying salt dough But if you are creating a family heirloom four or five coats of a good varnish willensure it lasts for yearsTry these two Easter projects the ldquoEgg-stra Specialrdquo eggs are very quick and simple enough to dowith small children the primrose basket takes a while and is a little fiddly but well worth tryingand very easy to adapt by choosing your own flower or perhaps some other motif
~ Egg-stra Special Eggs ~
1 Form an egg shape from a small ball of dough by rolling in your hands and pressthis gently onto your baking tray(Its easier to build your salt dough pieces directly onto the tray you will use tocook them rather than try and move them while they are still uncooked I havebuilt my eggs onto the kitchen surface because it will be easier for you to see whatIm doing)
2 Roll out a piece of salt dough and use it to cover the bottom end of youregg like a blanket When you are happy with the position gently lift andrun a wet paintbrush between the two pieces to glue them together
3 Cut out an egg cup shape around your egg
4 Use a damp paintbrush to push the egg cup onto the eggand ensure it sticks
(A damp paintbrush also helps soften edges and blend any creases or cracks)
5 Uncurl an old metal paperclip and push into the dough to form a hangingloop You can use a piece of any wire I try and use paperclips or a piece of wire
coat-hanger as I like to recycle An alternative hanging method is to create a smallhole (or two holes for larger pieces) and thread a ribbon or piece of leather shoelacethrough the hole tying it to make a loop)
6 Cut out a small bow shape from a piece of flattened dough
7 Cut two ribbon ends from a rectangle of flattened dough
8 Use a wet paintbrush to layer the ribbon ends onto thetop of your egg
9 Attach the bow in position And add a small piece to the centre ofthe bow to finish
10 Cook
11 Decorate in whatever way takes your fancy hellip have fun
~ Primrose Basket ~
1 Cover a bowl in greaseproof paper and turn upside down onto your baking tray
2 Roll out some dough to approx 5mm thickness and cut into thin stripslong enough to cover your bowl
3 Lay four of these strips across the bottom ofyour bowl
4 Begin weaving four in the opposite direction by gently liftingalternate strips out of the way laying the cross strip and replacingthe lifted strips
5 Then add one strip to each side until you reach the edge of the bowl
6 Trim the edge with a knife or fold the stripsback to form a rough bowl lip You can indentsomething on the dough to secure anddecorate
7 Cook
8 Carefully remove the bowl and paper
9 Make primrose flowers and leaves and glue them to the rim with a wetpaintbrush replacing your bowl in the oven for a short whileLeaves ndash cut rough leaf shapes out of a piece of flatted dough and mark theveins and indent the edges with the back of a knifeFlowers ndash use a small heart cutter to cut 5 heart shapes and place on the rim with pointstogether indenting the centre with your fingertip and then marking with the end of a paintbrushPaint with whichever medium you prefer or have to hand I have used acrylics here leaving thebasket natural and painting the primrose leaves green and the flowers yellow adding someorange to the centres of the flowers while the yellow is still damp for a blurred effect
This article was written by Diannefrom Heartmade Gifts
Join Heartmade Gifts on Facebook
wwwheartmadegiftswordpresscom
Lilac Lace Heart LocketJewellery by Bina
Vintage Victorian StyledSweetheart Locket
Miss Bohemia
pound17
pound15
Emerald Bewitched
youmin
$40
The Bright Forest Locket
marisolspoon
$35
Cameral Locket
mydogandi
$2750
Creative CraftingFavourite
This article was created by
The Crystal Ladyhttpwwwmysticearthcouk
Lockets may sound very old fashioned but if you have a wander through thehandmade sites you will find a wealth of very modern and extremely beautifuldesigns Perfect for you to carry your loved ones with you wherever you go
Bee Joyful LocketThe Whimsical Wren
pound10
SteampunkWatch Mechanism
Locketedmdesigns
$85
Luscious LocketsLuscious Lockets
Who likes Chocolate CakeThis is a great recipe for Easter Mothers day or any other daylets admit it we all love chocolate
Ingredients
7 oz self raising flour8 oz caster sugar1 teaspoon of salt2 tablespoons of cocoa powder4 oz margarine2 eggs beaten with5 tablespoons evaporated milk5 tablespoons water1 teaspoon vanilla essence
1 Sift together flour sugar and salt and cocoa2 Rub in margarine3 Stir in eggs essence and liquids then beat well4 Grease and flour 2 8 inch cake tins divide the mixture between them5 Bake in a moderate over 325-350 F gas mark 3 about 35 minutes6 When cold sandwich together and cover in milk chocolate icing
Milk chocolate Icing
Ingredients
2 and a half oz margarine or butter4 tablespoons cocoa8 oz sieved icing sugar3 tablespoons hot milk1 teaspoon vanilla essence
Melt the margarine or butter and blend incocoa powder then stir in icing sugar milkand vanilla essence Beat until smooth andthick
We hope you all enjoy the recipe we would love to see anypictures of chocolate cakes that you make
Instructions
Instructions
Written and reviewed by Peggyrsquos Knitshttppeggyscollectionwebscom
By Sprinkles Sparkleshttpwwwsprinklessparklescouk
All prices are correct at the time of publication
Budget amp LuxurySpring special
Woodland DaffodilsCharm Bracelet
Coco Angel Rosepound1600
Spring Flower Hair ClipFlutter2me
pound450
Spring flowers broochDi Does Craft
pound800
Pink Spring Clutchfunky diva designs
pound1750
Cupcake BuntingCotton Cottage
pound1650
Purple TulipsWildrose Ridge
pound350
Chickadees and LilacsStained Glass WindowStained Glass Addie
pound4940
The Charlotte - SageRosalind Jamespound14500
Springtime 16 Crayon RollApple n Amos
pound509
Buttercup earrings in softyellow with peridot and brass
Goblins Marketpound401
Springtime DalaFolk Horse HangingDecoration - YellowCourt and Spark
pound400
D A P H N E - BrokenChina Plate Pendant
and Sterling Silver NecklaceDesigns by Mila
pound2228
To make the leaves
Using DK yarn and 300 mm hook make 5 leaves as follows
Rnd 1 9ch dc in 2nd ch 1htr in next ch 1tr in each of next 6ch 3ch ss in base of last tr worked
Now work on opposite side of stitches by turning the work
Rnd 2 3ch 1tr in each of next 6ch 1htr in next ch dc ss in top of first stFasten off and sew in loose ends
Materials
Small quantity of DK yarn I have used a yarn with awool-mix but any DK yarn of your choice will be suitableSmall quantity of kid mohair yarn (use two strands together)300 mm hook200 mm hookOne large buttonBrooch pinSewing needle
To make the small rose
Using a 200 mm hook and working two strands of kid mohair yarn together 13ch
Rnd 1 1tr 2ch 1tr in 4th ch (skip 2ch 1tr 2ch 1tr in next ch) 3 times (4 v- spaces)
Rnd 2 3ch 6tr into next v-space 1dc into space between v-spaces Continue with 6tr into eachv-space and 1dc in between spaces until end ss into last ch Fasten off
Roll the work with fingers from start to finish to create a small rose flower and sew together at thebase
Assembling the brooch
Turn the flower so the right side is facing up and sew the button in the centre of the flowerAttach the rose to the centre of the button as shown in diagram Sew a brooch pin to the back of theflower to complete the brooch
Arrange the 5 leaves to form a circle so thecorners of the leaves are touching Sew eachcorner together to form the petals of aflower
Turn the work so the wrong side is facing upand close the hole by sewing together withthe same DK yarn used to make the leaves
Crochet Flower Brooch
ch - chain stitchdc - double crochethtr - half treble crochetss - slip stitchtr - treble crochetst - stitch
Crochet Mobile PhoneiPod Cosy
Materials
50g Dk yarn in mustard colourSmall quantity of DK yarn in bright pink for picot edgingof cosy and small roseSmall quantity of DK yarn in sage green for leaves of roseflowerSize 300mm hook
Instructions for the cosy
The cosy can be made to fit a mobile phoneiPod of your choice
Pattern note the pattern is worked in dc throughout and worked in the round using the tapestrycrochet method of crochet This involves carrying a second yarn below the first making it verystrong
Foundation row
Using one strand of DK yarn in mustard make a chain that measures the width of your mobilephoneipod
Rnd 1 dc across row until the last chain 2dc in last chain Turn work
Rnd 2 Begin to carry a second strand of mustard yarn throughouteach round and every round from now on This yarn is not worked butcarried below the first strand of yarn
Work along the opposite side of the row just worked 1dc in first ch1ch in each chain until the last chain 2dc in last chain Now mark thelast stitch just worked with a different colour yarn so you can see theend of the round and keep moving this marker up to the last stitchworked
Rnd 3 Dc in each chain around working in spirals moving the stitchmarker as the piece grows Continue until the work measures thedesired length to fit the mobileiPod Fasten off and tie in loose ends
ch - chain stitchdc - double crochethtr - half treble crochetss - slip stitchtr - treble crochetst - stitch
Instructions for rose flower
Rnd 1 Using DK yarn in bright pink 1tr 2ch 1tr in 4th ch (skip 2ch1tr 2ch 1tr in next ch) 3 times (4 v- spaces)
Rnd 2 3ch 6tr into next v-space 1dc into space between v-spacesContinue with 6tr into each v-space and 1dc in between spaces untilend ss into last ch Fasten off
Roll the work with fingers from start to finish to create a small rose flower and sew together at thebase
Instructions for leaves
Using DK yarn and 300mm hook make 2 leaves as follows
Rnd 1 5ch dc in 2nd ch 1htr in next ch 1tr in each of next 2ch 3ch ss in base of last tr workedNow work on opposite side of stitches by turning the work
Rnd 2 3ch 1tr in each of next 2 ch 1htr in next ch dc ss in top of first st Fasten off and sew inloose ends
Assembly
Sew the leaves to the reverse of the rose and attach to the cosy as shown in the picture
Picot edging
Rnd 1 Using DK yarn in bright pink dc into each stitch around the edge of the cosy opening ss tofirst dc
Rnd 2 3ch ss into 2nd chain from hook ss into base of 3ch dc into next 2ch 3ch continuefrom to ss into last ch Fasten off and sew in loose ends
Written by Andrea Lesley Crochethttpwwwfolksycomshopsandrealesleycrochet
Materials
T - shirt - colour your choiceScissorsChainSewing needle and threadCorsage or embellishments
Step 1 First get a plain whitet-shirt
Step 2 Then cut off the neck Step 3 Now sew two pieces of chain to each side of where theneckline should be
Step 4 Cut a triangle out ofthe bottom of the t-shirt
Step 5 Tie the two ends thatare left into a knot or bow
Step 6 Finally add a corsageor flower to the front
Step 7 Now you have a bang on trend crop top simply wear over a vest top I loved designing andgokking up this t-shirt it took minutes and didnt cost a lot either
Corsage made by Madam SalamihttpwwwetsycomshopMadamSalami
Written By Heidi Jackson
Favourite finds from around the crafting communityThis months focus is Easter and Spring
Click on the images to take you to their store
Online StreetMISI
Ring With A FlowerBlue Fish Handmade
pound800
Spring necklace in glassand sterling silver
RosieJo Jewellerypound1275
Easter Eggs CardNaomi Constable
pound250
FOLKSY
Easter rabbit cushionwith choccie eggs
Phoebelinas Treasurespound500
Easter Knitted BagsFluerette
pound300
Small Gorgeous FeltSpring Bouquets
Spare Minute Productionspound2000
WOW THANK YOU
Green And Brown PetalFlower Bracelet
Sprinkles Sparklespound3750 inc pampp
Handmade Pink Canvas Wall Art(Set of 3)
Craft on Canvaspound3900 inc pampp
Blue Easter ChickDharmapaintings
pound12 20 inc pampp
All prices correct at the time of publication
Favourite finds from around the crafting communityThis months focus is Easter and Spring
Click on the images to take you to their store
Best PicksUGLY BE GONE
Handpainted DottyDolly Pegs
Ticketty Boopound650
Quirky Motifs ShopperRachael Taylor
pound1500
Collette the Cow BibBaby Boutique
pound1100
The Cutie Pie - recycledpaper butterfly shadow boxThe WingSpan Collection
pound6421
Easter 1 Square PendantHappy Easter Spring Flowers
Miss Gooseberry Pendantspound321
ETSY
RETROEasterplastic springfling daisy clip-on earringsamber brown makes art
pound208ARTFIRE
Easter Egg Mini Cards 2x2 6Peculiar Parchment
pound170
Spring Chicks - Little FusedGlass Dish - Easter Gift
First Light Glasspound926
4 Chocolate Easter ParadeBunny Lollipops extra large
Candy Cottagepound741
All prices correct at the time of publication
What you will need3 x 10 inch lengths of purple Cylon cord10mm silver plated lobster clasp and clasp tag2 x silver plated fold over necklace endsApprox 24 Rose Quartz gemstone chip beads(holes need to be large enough to thread onelength of the cylon cord though)2 x 4mm silver plated jump rings
Rose Quartz is the stone of unconditionalloveIt purifies and opens the heart helping thewearer to love themselves as well as others
Rose Quartz draws off negative energy andhelps release unexpressed emotions
Encourages self forgiveness and acceptanceaids self trust and self worth
I find it easier to use a macrame board for making this type of bracelet as it make it easier tokeep the design neat but its not essential I use a simple board made from a cork notice boardand pins I also use nylon nosed pliers to fold over the necklace ends as I find metal pliers oftenleave marks but again they arent essential
Step 2 Thread a chip bead onto each of the outer lengths ofcord
Step 3 Cross the outer cordsover the middle one as youwould in a braid Then braid thecords again
Step 1 Attach one of thenecklace ends to one end ofthe three lengths of CyloncordYou can then use the hole inthe end to attach the braceletto your board
Make a Rose Quartz Bracelet
Step 6 Attach the secondnecklace end to the three cordwithout cutting them as it makesit easier The ends can then betrimmed with a craft knife orsharp scissors
Step 7 Using the jump ringsattach the clasp to one end ofthe bracelet and the clasp tagto the other
Step 4 Thread two chip beadson to the new outer lengths ofcord and braid as in the previousstep
Step 5 Repeat step three and four untilthe bracelet reaches seven inchesor your desired length
(The clasp section will measureapproximately one inch)
If the cord ends become frayed they canbe fixed with a little super glue
Step 8 And there you areOne finished rose quartzbracelet
Would you like to share a craft project with Creative Crafting
Let us know what project you would like toshare with us
Anything from jewellery knitting and crochetcrafts paper crafts or a craft you feel hasbeen forgotten about
Email thecrystalladycreative-craftingcom
Written by Elderberry Artshttpwwwelderberryartscouk
To those who are not yet aware Prince William and Kate Middleton will tie the knot this month onFriday 29th April in a quiet little ceremony at Westminster Abbey To some this may mean getting aday off to celebrate the nuptials or actually attend the whole affair To others like myself who areself-employed there will be no day off and hence little difference from a normal day but we can stillbe happy for the two love birds entering a state of marital bliss for the first timeIn these uncertain economic times I am not sure how the Royal Wedding will affect the economyhow much money will people want to spend Will this mean street parties like those that dominatemany peoplersquos memories from Prince Charles and Dianarsquos wedding back in 1981 Will there be arush to purchase ridiculously crass lsquosouvenirrsquo mugs plates tea towels or will the market just not bethere at all with all the unsold Royal Wedding goods in the pound shops by JuneThe handmade and crafting sector needs to be aware of the sales potential created by this Royalevent and so products should be made available to support the celebrations and possibly make thecountry feel good about itself again Maybe a lovely warm spring day in April will be good for thecountry and make it forget its economic woes for a few hoursWe asked a number of our sellers about their experience of the last big Royal Wedding (Charles andDiana) and what they are going to do this time to celebrate There were mixed feelings ndash manywere too young to remember much about the 1981 event and even though I remember a day offfrom school I cannot remember any street parties or spontaneous Mardi Gras This time around Ithink money will be a big factor and most people will not stray too far from a bit of home baking inred white and blue and also a show of patriotic bunting Union Jacks are quite the lsquoin thingrsquo at themoment for interior design and so a patriotic statement may double as being hip and trendy
Kim Lampard of Zigzag Bunting thinks a great way tocelebrate the Royal Wedding is to make your own buntingShe suggests pulling together a pile of fabrics that you nolonger need but that hold cherished memories for you forexample your daughterrsquos first cute dress a tea-towel youbought on a special holiday an old bedspread made by your
Granny Even if the items are damaged so cannot be passed on to others there is always a littlecorner that can be cut up into a triangle to make a bunting flag Mix a few of these together and ifyou have enough for a colour scheme (such as red white and blue) fine but donrsquot worry the flagsdonrsquot even need to be the same size Sometimes a shabby chic lsquoMix and Matchrsquo approach turns outto be perfect Sew the fabric triangles onto a piece of ribbon or bias tape and you will have awonderful string of bunting to decorate for the special day You and your family will remember notonly the Royal Wedding when you bring out that bunting but have extra glimpses of their past inthe fabrics Definitely a memento to cherish
Gaye Weekes of A amp V Designs now lives in Snowdonia North Wales and onlyan hour away from Anglesey where the Royal couple will begin their marriedlife She has no doubt had that His Highness has been hovering over theirremote valley in his helicopter over recent months Gaye plans to be flying redwhite and green Welsh bunting for the wedding Her bunting is made fromvintage fabric from the 1950s and 1960s - a cotton heavy woven greenand cream floral and a jolly red and white gingham She adds ldquo
rdquo
This article was written by
from
httpwwwwowthankyoucouk
Karine Ait-Mohamed of The Pink Fairy Cake isFrench but now lives in England She says ldquo
rdquo In the spirit of the occasion Karinehas produced a product that combines both England and France into the celebration Shehas produced sets of two Union Jack hearts filled with lavender from Chateau la Gabelle inHaute-Provence
Lisa MacDonald of LisaMollyMacDonaldis quite enthusiastic about the weddingand getting caught up in the glamour of the
occasion ldquo
rdquo
Lou Carswell of Loubie Jewels has some prettyfantastic red white and blue jewellery which wouldbe suitable for a Royal wedding celebration She told
us ldquo
rdquo
So what can we gather from these observations It will be a nice idea to celebrate the RoyalWedding If we apply a little lsquowartimersquo austerity (handmade lends itself to recycling andupcycling) we shouldnrsquot have to spend a fortune We can step back from commercialism andbe involved in a low key but meaningful way that will make the event more memorable for itssimplicity and just a little thrift God Bless William and Kate
Tell us about yourself
My name is Sandra Ritchie I live in Cleethorpes UK with my husbandJason my 10 year old daughter Alisha my 2 year old son Alfred andour dog Dumbledore Primarily I am a housewife but in my sparetime I make jewellery of all kinds from beaded pieces to metal workbut mainly I make custom-made bespoke precious metal jewellery
When did your crafting begin and why
Many years ago I studied Jewellery and Metal Art at college andover time Ive collected the tools I needed but never got round tosetting up a workroom until 2009 when my Husband pointed outthat our Utility Room would be perfect for me to set up as aworkroom to start making jewellery again It seemed ideal Ialready had people interested in me making them some jewelleryand it meant I could stay at home and look after the children as wellas try to establish a name for myself as a Jewellery designermaker
What was the first item you made to sell online
The first item I made to sell whilst not specifically to sell online was asilver octopus necklace commissioned by an acquaintance of mine thathad seen the silver octopus necklace that I made for myself whilst atcollege and wanted one like it She has since purchased the silver andcopper entwined Dragon necklace and a commissioned silver Dragonand is back on my list for another piece to be made My number onefan I think
What is your biggest crafting achievement and why
I love all the pieces Ive created especially my Custom work but myfavourite piece of all is the Greenman necklace I was approached tomake something as a surprise for someone and was basically giventhe opportunity to produce something different to my usual pieces Ilove making pieces that are based on peoples ideas of what theywant that is really special but the Greenman necklace was mydesign based on what the customer wanted it to represent I had toteach myself etching for the piece as its something Id never learntand Im really pleased with how it worked out
Other than crafting what else do you like to do
I love spending time with my children and family I love baking andcooking too and I suppose I should admit to enjoying the oddrelaxing glass (or bottle) of nice wine when the children are in bed
wwwlittlefairycultcouk
Where would you like to be in 5 years
In 5 years time Id love to be in a better financial position so I canbuy silver and make silver jewellery to sell that isnt just Custom-made Ive started sneaking a few pieces of precious metal jewellerythat are for general sale onto my site
Where does your inspiration come from
My inspiration is usually from the customers themselves They tell mewhat it is they want and I design a piece to reflect that Sometimes theyalter the design slightly to reflect more of how they want it and that isfine For my bead jewellery its usually what beads I have in myworkroom that inspire my beaded pieces I very rarely buy beads for thereason that I have a design idea and usually just buy mixed lots of beadsand work with what I have
What are your favourite materials and why
I really love working with precious metals There is somethinguniquely satisfying about taking a flat sheet of metal and turning itinto a beautiful piece of jewellery Thats why I take pictures of thepieces as I am making them so that other people and the customerwhos item it is can enjoy seeing it progress from a blank piece ofprecious metal into the finished piece
What is favourite shop online that isnrsquot yours and why
Oh my There are so many amazing websites offering beautiful andunique handmade items but I will always take a look at Etsy to see ifthere is anything that catches my eye on there They have such a largevariety of designerssellers making almost everything but the kitchen sink(though I bet if you looked hard enough youd find one on there) Ireally enjoy the little treasuries they do too where you can browse aselection of items that are grouped together by themes
Has any person helped or supported you more than any other
I have had a lot of support from the good friends I have gained on Twitter and of coursemy real life friends have been extremely supportive too but the main reason I actuallysorted out my workroom (or corner of the utility room) was due to my husband insistingthat I start making jewellery again Luckily his insistence and support paid off virtuallystraight away when a friend asked for the octopus necklace I mentioned earlier to bemade
Tell us a random fact about yourself
I have known the sex of each child and whether Id be carrying one or more before I evenconceived them Fairly random but fact nevertheless
Kit includes seed beads 5 x handmade glass beads choker wire x 3 banglewire x 2 ring wire x 3 jewellery pliers beading mat instructions
Makes 8 fabulous and individual pieces of jewellery without the need forfiddly findings books or other money-wasters
Beaded Jewellery Kitpound12Japan Crafts
A coordinating selection of beads plus step-by-step full colour instructions to make your own version of the Jungle Collar design Learn how to work peyote stitch edge it with drops and embellish it with a lush fringe and beaded flowers and leaves Let your beading imagination run wild
Each kit is hand-picked and slightly different so the beads you receive may not be the exact onesshown in the photograph but you can be certain that your necklace will be uniqueThe kit comes carefully packaged in a handy reusable storage box the only things yoursquoll need inaddition are a beading needle a spool of nylon beading thread and some sharp scissors
Beadweaving Kit for Jungle Collar
pound38Lynn Davy
Fairy Earrings Jewellery Making Kit - Ages 7yrs+
pound5Jewellery Making Kits
These single kits are fabulous for all crafty and creative girls They also make great presents for school friends nieces sisters or even grown ups Each kit includes Sterling Silver earwires or studs a small selection of flowers for the skirt a pair of wings a few coloured glass pearls for the heads silver headpin Organza Bag Full set of instructionsSuitable for ages 7 years and up Requires a pair of pliers to finish off - all instructions included
Bracelet Kit - Chunky Swarovski Pearl and Crystal with Toggle Clasp
pound750Wonderstuff Craft Kits
A little kit of bronze Swarovski pearls and Golden Shadow Swarovski crystals silk and toggle clasp
Kit includes 11 x Swarovski 12mm Pearls Colour - Soft Bronze 3 x Swarovski Crystal 8mm Rondelles - Colour - Golden Shadow 8 x Swarovski Crystal 4mmBicones Colour - Light Colorado Topaz 1 x Silver Plated Toggle Bar 1 x Silver plated Toggle RingBracelet length of threading silk Instructions
This kit contains top quality beads to make an exquisite braceletno special tools are needed
Jewellery making kits
from the small crafterWersquove found a selection of wonderful beading kits for allages and experience These are not massed producedsets but offered by the small crafter
This article was created by The Crystal Lady httpwwwmysticearthcouk
This Months
This months lsquoMan of the Monthrsquo is Ade (Adrian)EdmondsonChosen by MegampMillie
This months lsquoLady of the Monthrsquo is GwenStefaniChosen by Claire Pearcy from Elderberry Arts
httpwwwgwenstefanicom
httpwwwunrealitytvcouklets-dance-for-comic-relieflets-dance-for-comic-relief-results-ade-edmondson-and-eighties-super-group-make-next-weeks-final
(Nothing like an April Fools)
This months lsquoBlog of the Month Awardrsquo goes to lsquoItrsquos All Fiddle Fartrsquo
httpitsallfiddlefartblogspotcom
This months lsquoShop of the Month Awardrsquo goes to lsquoJulias DriftwoodFurniturersquo
httpwwwfolksycomshopsseasandview123
ww
wc
reativ
e-cr
afting
co
mw
ww
cr
eative-c
on
nec
tion
snin
gc
om
CREATIVE CRAFTING
Our next issue will be available to read on
1st June 2010If you have missed any of our issues you
can find them to read on our websitewwwcreative-craftingcom
And also on our Social Network Creative Connectionswwwcreative-connectionsningcom
To advertise in Creative Crafting or to submit an article please contact Annaat thecrystalladycreative-craftingcom
AUGUSTSUMMER 2010
Issue 5
By Crafters for Crafters
Check out our
CraftersDirectory
CREATIVE CRAFTING
By Crafters for Crafters
Issue 3
ValentinesMothers Day 2010
HandcraftedWeddingSpecial
Valentine ampMothers Day
Projects
Have youbeen
featured
By Crafters for Crafters
Issue 3ValentinesMothers Day 2010
Handcrafted
Wedding
SpecialValentine amp
Mothers Day
ProjectsHave you
been
featured
By
EASTER 2010
Issue 4
FATHERS DAY 2010
Issue 4
By Crafters for Crafters
Ch
eck out our
Craft
ersDirectory
AUGUSTSUMMER 2
010
Issu
e 5
By Craf
ters fo
r Craf
ters
Chec
k out our
Crafters
Directory
CREATIVE
C
RAFTINGAU
TUM
N H
ALLO
WEE
N 201
0Is
sue
7
CREA
TIVE
CRAF
TIN
G
By Craf
ters f
or C
rafter
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Chec
k
out our
Craft
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All of our links andadverts are fullyclickable
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AUTUMN HALLOWEEN 2010
Issue 7CREATIVE CRAFTING
By Crafters for Crafters
Check out our
CraftersDirectory
Anniversary
Issue
CHRISTMAS 2010
Issue 8
By Crafters for Crafters
FATHERS DAY 2010
Issue 4
By Crafters for Crafters
Check out our
Crafters
Directory
EASTER 2010
Issue 4
By Crafters for Crafters
By Crafters for Crafters
VALENTINES 2011Issue 9
CREATIVE CRAFTING
Ive always been artistic in one form or another As a child I always paintedand drew a lot At school I did everything from make a wooden fish pencilholder perspex badges pottery and childrens toys I was very into pencildrawings and shading but I loved using watercolour and other textures formy more cartoonManga style art
I was never very good at what back then was deemed the Girlie stuff I wasmore into woodwork and moulding and graphics This is probably what mademe choose my Bachelor of Science Degree in Architectural Technology Formy degree we used a lot of CAD (Computer Aided Design) to design buildings and building materialsWe also had to craft models of some of our own designs with foam board and other materials I wasin my element with this part of the curriculum
The great thing about craftdesignmaking things - whatever you want to call it is that there is a freedom in Art that you do not get anywhere else There is no right and wrong and no rules The rules come later At the point of concept it is just you and your imagination Which is very liberating and also quite scary because we are conditioned to think within the constraints of rules Art has no rules
Dianes Celebrity ChatsOur lovely Di from Peggyrsquos Knits chats to another celebrity about crafting
Tanya has worked on a number of shows the most recent being the character Adele Alfrey in ITVrsquos Emmerdale She has also worked on other familiar shows with awardwinning producers directors and writers She starred in the BBCcomedy Kerching Her first professional role was in Holby CityShe is also an accomplished presenter and budding playwrightTanya is a former student of the National Youth TheatreTanya told me how she has been artistic about how she sees artand her views on crafting
Please all take a look at Tanyarsquos website which ishttpwwwtanyavitalcom
What you will needFleece material - To determine the size needed- measure the circumference of your head(around your ears) and add 12 inch for seamallowance This will be the width and the lengthmeasurement is 20 inchesCotton thread in the same or contrasting colour
Average Head Sizes -
Newborn (6 months and younger)Circumference 14 to 17 inchesCrown 8 to 10 inches
Infant (6 to 12 months)Circumference 16 to 19 inchesCrown 11 to 12 inches
Child (12 months to 3 years)Circumference 18 to 20 inchesCrown 11 to 12 inches
Step 1 Lay out your fleece on a flat surface anddraw out a rectangle using the measurements forthe hat size required This should be 20 inches longand the width will be the circumference measurementof the size hat your making plus 12 inch seamallowance So to make a hat for a child with a headcircumference of 15 inches the width should be15 12 inches
Claire from Elderberry Arts shows us how to make achildrens hat from fleece material
Why not experiment this Easter holiday
Below are easy to follow instructions and a sizing guide
Thin length of fleece approx 12 inches by12 inchRuler or tape measureTailors chalk or penScissorsPinsSewing needles or sewing machine
Elderberrry Arts
Step 4 Place the right sides of the fleecetogether and pin along the length of thematerial Sew along this edge either by handor machine Knot ends and sewing inside thehem You can trim this hem to make it even andneater if needed
Step 5 Turn the hat right side out andarrange it so the seam is in the middleback From the bottom of your hatmeasure the crown length and place thefleece strip under the hat at this point
Step 6 Tie the ends of thestrip together and pull tightto gather hat
Step 7 Now cut the topsection of the hat into stripsapproximately 12 inch wide
Once youve cut all the wayround the strips can be trimmedto shorten them if required
You could also thread plastic ponybeads on some or all of the stripsknotting the bottom to secure them
Step 2 Cut out the rectangleof fleece Then cut a strip 12inches by 12 inch of fleecefrom the leftover material
Step 3 Pin a hem approx12 inch wide across theshorter length of fleece
Sew either by hand or machineKnot ends and sewing insidethe hem
Written by Elderberry Artshttpwwwelderberryartscouk
Rug Making Ragtag RugsWith
Looking for something fabulous to make using all your old T-shirts sweat shirts and other disusedgarments If so this could be the project for you
The craft of making rag rugs is very traditional and dates backto the mid eighteen hundreds itrsquos still very relevant today whatwith the importance of recycling the other great thing aboutit is that the design on the rug can pretty much be whateveryou want it to be - an image of your pet or your house anabstract or geometric design or something floral traditionalhellip itrsquos totally up to you and your imagination
The technique Irsquoll be using for this project is a method calledlsquohookingrsquo which is very simple and produces a soft and hardwearing pile Irsquove tried to keep everything simple and equipment to a minimum so that everyone canhave a go My favourite fabrics to use are the afore mentioned T-shirts and sweat shirts as they frayvery little but most textiles of a medium thickness can be used
MaterialsVirtually any material can be used in a rag rug some materials are easier to work with than othersThe best materials to use for hooking include T-shirts sweat shirts lightweight cottonssynthetics amplightweight woolsynthetic jumpers Fabrics such as heavy weight denim are not suitableFor this project Irsquove used plain fabrics but patterned fabrics can also be used
HookingStep 1 Working with the Hessian design side up poke the hook through the Hessian and grab thestrip of fabric underneath with the hook
Step 2 Pull the end of the strip of fabric up through the Hessian so that you leave a tail of at least1 cm sticking up
Step 3 Move the hook along about half a centimeter poke it back down through the Hessian andpull a loop of fabric up through to the top of the Hessian a loop height of about 1 cm is best thenjust repeat this technique filling in the required area when you reach the end of a fabric strip pullthe end up through the Hessian and trim it so itrsquos the same height as the loopsMake sure your loops are dense enough and you canrsquot see any of the Hessian backing There is noneed to physically fix the loops in place as they will stay put automatically due to the thickness ofThe fabric and the denseness of the loops
What you will needA piece of Hessian measuring 90 cm x 110 cmSelection of fabrics cut into strips measuring1 - 2 cm wide depending on the thickness ofthe fabric and avoid any seamsRug hookDressmakers pinsScissors
Large-eyed needleBall of woolMarker penYard stick metre ruler2 sheets of thin A4 card or a flattened cereal packetCompassPencil
Ragtag Rugs Rug Making Ragtag RugsWith
Step 1 Using the compass and pencildraw two circles measuring 185 cmacross on the sheets of card and cut theseout using the scissors
Step 2 Using the marker pen and metre rule draw a rectangle on the piece of Hessian measuring63 cm x 84 cm leaving a boarder of about 12 cm all the way around the rectangle Divide therectangle into four giving you central lines for the width and length of the rug Place the card spotson the Hessian in the appropriate places and draw around them using the marker pen for the halfand quarter spots fold one of the card templates accordingly and then draw around it Draw in yourdesigns within the spots
Step 3 Fold under the raw edges of the Hessian and stitch with arunning stitch using the large-eyed needle and wool this is to preventthe Hessian fraying selvedge edges can be left as they are
Step 4 Hook in the strips of fabrics filling in the spots first and then thebackground You can either use the design shown here or make up yourown spots and colour scheme
Step 5 When completed lay the rug face down on the floor and turn in a hem of about 6 cms tothe back of the rug and pin it all the way around fold and pin the corners as neatly as possibleSew the hem to the back of the rug with a running stitch using the large-eyed needle and woolVoila You have a rug
wwwfolksycomshopsragtagrugs
Written by Ragtag Rugs
SupplierFor an American Style Rug Hook costing about pound750 and also Hessian go to Fred Aldous CraftSupplies wwwfredaldouscouk
NoteSome people prefer to use a rug making frame which helps to keep the rugsquare but as the rug wersquore making here is fairly small and wersquore keepingthings simple Irsquove dispensed with this
The first item I sold online was on my Folksy shop(httpwwwfolksycomshopsLaurabyTheSea) and was a vintage ceramic andbead brooch the buyer was very pleased with it and gave me great feedback
Tell us about yourselfMy name is Laura and I live by the sea in the East of England Pakefield to be precise I live with my wonderful Brother who is a musician so we have a very creative household and in our bright conservatory I make ldquoLaura by The Seardquo jewellery (from necklaces brooches amp bracelets to ear rings and hair slides) using vintage ceramics I break vintage crockery hand sand it to ensure there are no sharp edges and make the shards into beautiful jewellery
When did your crafting begin and whyI began studying ceramics during my BA Hons degree in Fine Art at The University of Portsmouthwhich is where my obsession for vintage crockery began to grow Initially I began by making newplates and tea cups with vintage shards in but soon the beauty of the ceramic shards startedappealing to me which is when I had the idea of making jewellery out of them - and one day I justdid it and havenrsquot stopped since I just love how the cute patterns really stand out against the silverchain
What was the first item you made to sell online
What is your biggest crafting achievement and why
I think my biggest crafting achievement since starting Laura by The SeaJewellery has to be getting interviewed for the national ldquoMAKE Jewelleryrdquomagazine as their new ldquoIt accessoryrdquo designer I totally didnrsquot expect themto contact me via my Folksy store
Other than crafting what else do you like to do
In my spare time I like to paint I write I stronglybelieve it is the simple things in life that count I am a collectorof anything old with a story and pick up anything found on the seashore First morning sunshine trawling antique treasure troves walks on the sand with my pooch Sepia tones and seeing life through a lens makes me happy I do a photographyfashion blog(laurabytheseatumblrcom) and am a very sociable person These are a fewof my favourite things and yes that should include raindrops on roses andbrown paper packages tied up with string
Where would you like to be in 5 years
In 5 years time I would love to be able to do this on a full time basis tomake enough money to live I am aiming to have my jewellery sold in manyUK wide independent stores and hopefully a few abroad However theultimate dream is to have my jewellery featured in Vogue
The first item I sold online was on my Folksy shop(httpwwwfolksycomshopsLaurabyTheSea) and was a vintage ceramic andbead brooch the buyer was very pleased with it and gave me great feedback
Where does your inspiration come from
My inspiration comes from trawling antique and vintage shops photography (one of my current favphotographers is Elizabeth Sarah from America) and I am always inspired by other people When Iget talking with my friends about anything creative the juices start flowing and I get more designideas I am also inspired and work along with music (anything from RampB amp Hip-hop to Reggae andJazz I have an eclectic mix)
What are your favourite materials and why
Vintage ceramics because I adore the vintage floral prints on the crockeryand like the idea of being as eco-friendly as possible and like to only userecycled materials in my jewellery
What is favourite shop online that isnrsquot yours and why
My favourite online shop has to be Loglike a contemporary gift and home ware store with vintageelements The owner makes cute candlesticks from vintage plates and saucers that look amazing onmy coffee table (see httpwwwfolksycomshopsLoglike)
Has any person helped or supported you more than any other
I would have to say my parents and Brother Not just financially when Iwas a poor struggling student but they are supportive with everything Ido in life and I just couldnrsquot do without them My brother is more like abest friend
Tell us a random fact about yourself
I have 23 dresses in my wardrobe and have a vinyl collection of mostly 1980rsquos music (my guiltypleasure)
httpwwwfolksycomshopsLaurabyTheSea
Visit
Lauraat
in the GardenHi Irsquom Tina
Good to have you visit with me again in The GardenI think we will sit in the conservatory this morning the sun is juststreaming in it is so wonderful to feel the warmth after such a coldwinter I have the kettle on and some little iced biscuits butremember we must not over indulge me especially as I have notbeen working in the garden so much just sitting in doors munching
Well Spring is here at last and it does seem to be in a hurrythis year the crab apple is already in bud and also the fruittrees
I had my own little piece of garden and the plants therewere in my charge if I forgot to water them and theydied mother would say you have to be responsible givethem a little care and you will be rewarded with so muchbeauty and as I look around the garden today thebeauty just takes my breath awayI checked out the herbs after the winter and just look atthis monster itrsquos the parsley how great is this
Here is a photo of the willow catkins or lambs tails as mymother used to call them she was a country woman andknew every wild flower by their old country names sheloved all nature and her garden and was my inspirationfrom an early age
wwwtina-in-the-gardenblogspotcom
Also I think that this flower is really confused it is of coursean antirrhinum when I emptied the summer bedding fromthe tubs some were still fine so I planted them in thegarden and as you can see have been well rewarded Alsosome silver foliage plants which I cannot remember thename of and of course have lost thelabel they seem to think that it isalready summer
At the moment you can get into the bog it does not look half as mysterious as it does inthe summer you can even see the streamMy better half and I have one or two projects this summer well I have theideas and he makes them work howlucky am I So watch this space
Oh you have to leave well thank you again for coming be safe until your next visit withme in The Garden
Your green fingered friendTina
The bluebells are coming throughin the wood not long now beforethey flower they have to hurrybefore the trees get their leaves
Creative CraftingAdvertise with
wwwcreative-craftingcomadvertisehtml
A mouse herecould take customers
to your store
We care about yourcraft business
Prices startfrom
only pound2
There are a lot of different crafts to choose fromThis series of articles will discover some of the more unusual and also some
old world crafts that may have been almost forgotten
This article was created by
The Crystal Ladyhttpwwwmysticearthcouk
Sold by Amazon
Knitting with Dog Hairby Anne Montgomery
Contains easy step-by-step instructions for collecting cleaningstoring and spinning your dogs fur The book includes originalknitting patterns for the novice and the pro - from mittens toshawls to lace collars from your cats hair
How to Knit a Dog Hair Sweater
E-How
The brushed undercoat of a dog is called chiengora and can be used for knittingcrocheting or felting just like lambs wool or other yarn Dogs hair has been used forcenturies for weaving blankets and other coverings Dogs hair is much warmer thanwool Here is how to knit a sweater from dog hair
After the tutorial the writer goes on to leave a warning that dog hair is much warmerthan wool and an entire garment made of dog hair will be too hot to wear
I also found a very fascinating article about a lady called Laurie Moy on the Boulder DailyCamera website
Better a sweater from a dog you know and love than from a sheepyoull never meet
Warp and woof-woof Making clothes out of dog hair
Read more Boulder Daily Camera
This was discovered in an American newspaper by Creative Craftings Tinawe just had to tell you about it
I did some Googling about this and apparently there is quite alot about it I found a tutorial on the popular E-How site
Irsquom sure like me yoursquoll find this quite fascinatingIf any of our spinners out there fancy a go atcreating some yarn from their pooches we wouldlove to see some of the results It is also a greatidea for recycling all of that fluff that you areconstantly sweeping up off your sofa or yourcarpet There really is a use for most things afterall
Salt dough is so quick and easy (and therapeutic) to make endlessly adaptable a joy to sharewith the kids and has the advantage of being made from store-cupboard basics (although youcould make these projects in clay or fimo or even plasticine)The drawbacks are that it takes a while to cookpaintvarnish it will dissolve in wet or very dampconditions and will break if you drop it So allow yourself a couple of days to produce a finishedpiece and varnish thoroughly when decorated to protect against any damage
Making a Batch of Salt Dough
1 Mug of Table Salt2 Mugs of Plain FlourApprox 1 Mug of Tepid Water (Add final frac14 slowly)1 Tablespoon of Olive or Vegetable Oil (Optional)
Mix the flour and salt together in a bowlIf you are using oil (which helps to add elasticity but is optional and not necessary) add it to themug of water Add the water (with or without oil) to the salt and flour mixAdd most of the water stirring into the dry ingredients with a wooden spoon Add the last of thewater carefully as you will need more or less depending on humidity and the gradequality of theflourYou need to add enough to bind the ingredients without making it too sticky Empty onto a lightlyfloured surface and knead for at least ten minutes until the dough is smooth and slightly warm
A Few Tips for Modelling Salt DoughRoll out salt dough onto a lightly floured surface with a floured rolling pin or you could use abottle if you havent got a rolling pin Gently flattening salt dough with the heels of your hands willwork too but keep moving the dough to keep it even and turn it over to the fresh smooth sidejust before you begin cutting shapesKeep the thickness of your pieces under an inch much thicker than this and they wont hardenproperly in the middleUse a sharp knife to cut salt dough shapes but a blunt knife (or the back of a knife) is useful whenmarking lines onto the dough A scalpel or craft knife is best for cutting out intricate shapesUse pastry cutters plasticine moulds forks hair grips scrubbing brushes experiment withanything you have lying around the house
Cooking Salt DoughCook your salt dough pieces slowly in a very low oven The cooler and slower the better to preventdistortion in the cooking process These pieces were cooked at 140275 degrees or Gas Mark 1 forapproximately 2 hours but I often leave them all day in the oven at its lowest setting
Heartmade Gifts
Decorating Salt DoughYou can decorate your pieces before or after the cooking process Try adding food colouringherbs and spices tea or coffee to your dough as you knead it Or try painting your uncooked piecewith an egg wash for a lovely golden glowExperiment with various mediums on cooked pieces Gouache and acrylics work well but posterpaint is fine (if a little limited in colour variation) and you could try chalks felt tips or crayonsUse glue to add decorations including glitter sequins fabric bows tiny scraps of paper etcIts nice to leave the dough perfectly natural sometimes and sometimes a combination of naturaldough and painted areas works very wellVarnish thoroughly Any varnish will work I tend to use a spray varnish as a first coat to set thepaints then I add a few coats of a super store own brand wood varnish (If you need yourfinished piece to be especially waterproof try yacht varnish but be aware that it will tend tochange the colours making them yellowish)Use a small brush to get into all the nooks and crannies and allow each coat to dry thoroughlybefore applying the next one The more coats you apply the better protected your final pieceHowever unvarnished salt dough I have made for personal use (or the odd forgotten piece) hassurvived very well even in a slightly damp old house So dont let a lack of varnish deter you fromtrying salt dough But if you are creating a family heirloom four or five coats of a good varnish willensure it lasts for yearsTry these two Easter projects the ldquoEgg-stra Specialrdquo eggs are very quick and simple enough to dowith small children the primrose basket takes a while and is a little fiddly but well worth tryingand very easy to adapt by choosing your own flower or perhaps some other motif
~ Egg-stra Special Eggs ~
1 Form an egg shape from a small ball of dough by rolling in your hands and pressthis gently onto your baking tray(Its easier to build your salt dough pieces directly onto the tray you will use tocook them rather than try and move them while they are still uncooked I havebuilt my eggs onto the kitchen surface because it will be easier for you to see whatIm doing)
2 Roll out a piece of salt dough and use it to cover the bottom end of youregg like a blanket When you are happy with the position gently lift andrun a wet paintbrush between the two pieces to glue them together
3 Cut out an egg cup shape around your egg
4 Use a damp paintbrush to push the egg cup onto the eggand ensure it sticks
(A damp paintbrush also helps soften edges and blend any creases or cracks)
5 Uncurl an old metal paperclip and push into the dough to form a hangingloop You can use a piece of any wire I try and use paperclips or a piece of wire
coat-hanger as I like to recycle An alternative hanging method is to create a smallhole (or two holes for larger pieces) and thread a ribbon or piece of leather shoelacethrough the hole tying it to make a loop)
6 Cut out a small bow shape from a piece of flattened dough
7 Cut two ribbon ends from a rectangle of flattened dough
8 Use a wet paintbrush to layer the ribbon ends onto thetop of your egg
9 Attach the bow in position And add a small piece to the centre ofthe bow to finish
10 Cook
11 Decorate in whatever way takes your fancy hellip have fun
~ Primrose Basket ~
1 Cover a bowl in greaseproof paper and turn upside down onto your baking tray
2 Roll out some dough to approx 5mm thickness and cut into thin stripslong enough to cover your bowl
3 Lay four of these strips across the bottom ofyour bowl
4 Begin weaving four in the opposite direction by gently liftingalternate strips out of the way laying the cross strip and replacingthe lifted strips
5 Then add one strip to each side until you reach the edge of the bowl
6 Trim the edge with a knife or fold the stripsback to form a rough bowl lip You can indentsomething on the dough to secure anddecorate
7 Cook
8 Carefully remove the bowl and paper
9 Make primrose flowers and leaves and glue them to the rim with a wetpaintbrush replacing your bowl in the oven for a short whileLeaves ndash cut rough leaf shapes out of a piece of flatted dough and mark theveins and indent the edges with the back of a knifeFlowers ndash use a small heart cutter to cut 5 heart shapes and place on the rim with pointstogether indenting the centre with your fingertip and then marking with the end of a paintbrushPaint with whichever medium you prefer or have to hand I have used acrylics here leaving thebasket natural and painting the primrose leaves green and the flowers yellow adding someorange to the centres of the flowers while the yellow is still damp for a blurred effect
This article was written by Diannefrom Heartmade Gifts
Join Heartmade Gifts on Facebook
wwwheartmadegiftswordpresscom
Lilac Lace Heart LocketJewellery by Bina
Vintage Victorian StyledSweetheart Locket
Miss Bohemia
pound17
pound15
Emerald Bewitched
youmin
$40
The Bright Forest Locket
marisolspoon
$35
Cameral Locket
mydogandi
$2750
Creative CraftingFavourite
This article was created by
The Crystal Ladyhttpwwwmysticearthcouk
Lockets may sound very old fashioned but if you have a wander through thehandmade sites you will find a wealth of very modern and extremely beautifuldesigns Perfect for you to carry your loved ones with you wherever you go
Bee Joyful LocketThe Whimsical Wren
pound10
SteampunkWatch Mechanism
Locketedmdesigns
$85
Luscious LocketsLuscious Lockets
Who likes Chocolate CakeThis is a great recipe for Easter Mothers day or any other daylets admit it we all love chocolate
Ingredients
7 oz self raising flour8 oz caster sugar1 teaspoon of salt2 tablespoons of cocoa powder4 oz margarine2 eggs beaten with5 tablespoons evaporated milk5 tablespoons water1 teaspoon vanilla essence
1 Sift together flour sugar and salt and cocoa2 Rub in margarine3 Stir in eggs essence and liquids then beat well4 Grease and flour 2 8 inch cake tins divide the mixture between them5 Bake in a moderate over 325-350 F gas mark 3 about 35 minutes6 When cold sandwich together and cover in milk chocolate icing
Milk chocolate Icing
Ingredients
2 and a half oz margarine or butter4 tablespoons cocoa8 oz sieved icing sugar3 tablespoons hot milk1 teaspoon vanilla essence
Melt the margarine or butter and blend incocoa powder then stir in icing sugar milkand vanilla essence Beat until smooth andthick
We hope you all enjoy the recipe we would love to see anypictures of chocolate cakes that you make
Instructions
Instructions
Written and reviewed by Peggyrsquos Knitshttppeggyscollectionwebscom
By Sprinkles Sparkleshttpwwwsprinklessparklescouk
All prices are correct at the time of publication
Budget amp LuxurySpring special
Woodland DaffodilsCharm Bracelet
Coco Angel Rosepound1600
Spring Flower Hair ClipFlutter2me
pound450
Spring flowers broochDi Does Craft
pound800
Pink Spring Clutchfunky diva designs
pound1750
Cupcake BuntingCotton Cottage
pound1650
Purple TulipsWildrose Ridge
pound350
Chickadees and LilacsStained Glass WindowStained Glass Addie
pound4940
The Charlotte - SageRosalind Jamespound14500
Springtime 16 Crayon RollApple n Amos
pound509
Buttercup earrings in softyellow with peridot and brass
Goblins Marketpound401
Springtime DalaFolk Horse HangingDecoration - YellowCourt and Spark
pound400
D A P H N E - BrokenChina Plate Pendant
and Sterling Silver NecklaceDesigns by Mila
pound2228
To make the leaves
Using DK yarn and 300 mm hook make 5 leaves as follows
Rnd 1 9ch dc in 2nd ch 1htr in next ch 1tr in each of next 6ch 3ch ss in base of last tr worked
Now work on opposite side of stitches by turning the work
Rnd 2 3ch 1tr in each of next 6ch 1htr in next ch dc ss in top of first stFasten off and sew in loose ends
Materials
Small quantity of DK yarn I have used a yarn with awool-mix but any DK yarn of your choice will be suitableSmall quantity of kid mohair yarn (use two strands together)300 mm hook200 mm hookOne large buttonBrooch pinSewing needle
To make the small rose
Using a 200 mm hook and working two strands of kid mohair yarn together 13ch
Rnd 1 1tr 2ch 1tr in 4th ch (skip 2ch 1tr 2ch 1tr in next ch) 3 times (4 v- spaces)
Rnd 2 3ch 6tr into next v-space 1dc into space between v-spaces Continue with 6tr into eachv-space and 1dc in between spaces until end ss into last ch Fasten off
Roll the work with fingers from start to finish to create a small rose flower and sew together at thebase
Assembling the brooch
Turn the flower so the right side is facing up and sew the button in the centre of the flowerAttach the rose to the centre of the button as shown in diagram Sew a brooch pin to the back of theflower to complete the brooch
Arrange the 5 leaves to form a circle so thecorners of the leaves are touching Sew eachcorner together to form the petals of aflower
Turn the work so the wrong side is facing upand close the hole by sewing together withthe same DK yarn used to make the leaves
Crochet Flower Brooch
ch - chain stitchdc - double crochethtr - half treble crochetss - slip stitchtr - treble crochetst - stitch
Crochet Mobile PhoneiPod Cosy
Materials
50g Dk yarn in mustard colourSmall quantity of DK yarn in bright pink for picot edgingof cosy and small roseSmall quantity of DK yarn in sage green for leaves of roseflowerSize 300mm hook
Instructions for the cosy
The cosy can be made to fit a mobile phoneiPod of your choice
Pattern note the pattern is worked in dc throughout and worked in the round using the tapestrycrochet method of crochet This involves carrying a second yarn below the first making it verystrong
Foundation row
Using one strand of DK yarn in mustard make a chain that measures the width of your mobilephoneipod
Rnd 1 dc across row until the last chain 2dc in last chain Turn work
Rnd 2 Begin to carry a second strand of mustard yarn throughouteach round and every round from now on This yarn is not worked butcarried below the first strand of yarn
Work along the opposite side of the row just worked 1dc in first ch1ch in each chain until the last chain 2dc in last chain Now mark thelast stitch just worked with a different colour yarn so you can see theend of the round and keep moving this marker up to the last stitchworked
Rnd 3 Dc in each chain around working in spirals moving the stitchmarker as the piece grows Continue until the work measures thedesired length to fit the mobileiPod Fasten off and tie in loose ends
ch - chain stitchdc - double crochethtr - half treble crochetss - slip stitchtr - treble crochetst - stitch
Instructions for rose flower
Rnd 1 Using DK yarn in bright pink 1tr 2ch 1tr in 4th ch (skip 2ch1tr 2ch 1tr in next ch) 3 times (4 v- spaces)
Rnd 2 3ch 6tr into next v-space 1dc into space between v-spacesContinue with 6tr into each v-space and 1dc in between spaces untilend ss into last ch Fasten off
Roll the work with fingers from start to finish to create a small rose flower and sew together at thebase
Instructions for leaves
Using DK yarn and 300mm hook make 2 leaves as follows
Rnd 1 5ch dc in 2nd ch 1htr in next ch 1tr in each of next 2ch 3ch ss in base of last tr workedNow work on opposite side of stitches by turning the work
Rnd 2 3ch 1tr in each of next 2 ch 1htr in next ch dc ss in top of first st Fasten off and sew inloose ends
Assembly
Sew the leaves to the reverse of the rose and attach to the cosy as shown in the picture
Picot edging
Rnd 1 Using DK yarn in bright pink dc into each stitch around the edge of the cosy opening ss tofirst dc
Rnd 2 3ch ss into 2nd chain from hook ss into base of 3ch dc into next 2ch 3ch continuefrom to ss into last ch Fasten off and sew in loose ends
Written by Andrea Lesley Crochethttpwwwfolksycomshopsandrealesleycrochet
Materials
T - shirt - colour your choiceScissorsChainSewing needle and threadCorsage or embellishments
Step 1 First get a plain whitet-shirt
Step 2 Then cut off the neck Step 3 Now sew two pieces of chain to each side of where theneckline should be
Step 4 Cut a triangle out ofthe bottom of the t-shirt
Step 5 Tie the two ends thatare left into a knot or bow
Step 6 Finally add a corsageor flower to the front
Step 7 Now you have a bang on trend crop top simply wear over a vest top I loved designing andgokking up this t-shirt it took minutes and didnt cost a lot either
Corsage made by Madam SalamihttpwwwetsycomshopMadamSalami
Written By Heidi Jackson
Favourite finds from around the crafting communityThis months focus is Easter and Spring
Click on the images to take you to their store
Online StreetMISI
Ring With A FlowerBlue Fish Handmade
pound800
Spring necklace in glassand sterling silver
RosieJo Jewellerypound1275
Easter Eggs CardNaomi Constable
pound250
FOLKSY
Easter rabbit cushionwith choccie eggs
Phoebelinas Treasurespound500
Easter Knitted BagsFluerette
pound300
Small Gorgeous FeltSpring Bouquets
Spare Minute Productionspound2000
WOW THANK YOU
Green And Brown PetalFlower Bracelet
Sprinkles Sparklespound3750 inc pampp
Handmade Pink Canvas Wall Art(Set of 3)
Craft on Canvaspound3900 inc pampp
Blue Easter ChickDharmapaintings
pound12 20 inc pampp
All prices correct at the time of publication
Favourite finds from around the crafting communityThis months focus is Easter and Spring
Click on the images to take you to their store
Best PicksUGLY BE GONE
Handpainted DottyDolly Pegs
Ticketty Boopound650
Quirky Motifs ShopperRachael Taylor
pound1500
Collette the Cow BibBaby Boutique
pound1100
The Cutie Pie - recycledpaper butterfly shadow boxThe WingSpan Collection
pound6421
Easter 1 Square PendantHappy Easter Spring Flowers
Miss Gooseberry Pendantspound321
ETSY
RETROEasterplastic springfling daisy clip-on earringsamber brown makes art
pound208ARTFIRE
Easter Egg Mini Cards 2x2 6Peculiar Parchment
pound170
Spring Chicks - Little FusedGlass Dish - Easter Gift
First Light Glasspound926
4 Chocolate Easter ParadeBunny Lollipops extra large
Candy Cottagepound741
All prices correct at the time of publication
What you will need3 x 10 inch lengths of purple Cylon cord10mm silver plated lobster clasp and clasp tag2 x silver plated fold over necklace endsApprox 24 Rose Quartz gemstone chip beads(holes need to be large enough to thread onelength of the cylon cord though)2 x 4mm silver plated jump rings
Rose Quartz is the stone of unconditionalloveIt purifies and opens the heart helping thewearer to love themselves as well as others
Rose Quartz draws off negative energy andhelps release unexpressed emotions
Encourages self forgiveness and acceptanceaids self trust and self worth
I find it easier to use a macrame board for making this type of bracelet as it make it easier tokeep the design neat but its not essential I use a simple board made from a cork notice boardand pins I also use nylon nosed pliers to fold over the necklace ends as I find metal pliers oftenleave marks but again they arent essential
Step 2 Thread a chip bead onto each of the outer lengths ofcord
Step 3 Cross the outer cordsover the middle one as youwould in a braid Then braid thecords again
Step 1 Attach one of thenecklace ends to one end ofthe three lengths of CyloncordYou can then use the hole inthe end to attach the braceletto your board
Make a Rose Quartz Bracelet
Step 6 Attach the secondnecklace end to the three cordwithout cutting them as it makesit easier The ends can then betrimmed with a craft knife orsharp scissors
Step 7 Using the jump ringsattach the clasp to one end ofthe bracelet and the clasp tagto the other
Step 4 Thread two chip beadson to the new outer lengths ofcord and braid as in the previousstep
Step 5 Repeat step three and four untilthe bracelet reaches seven inchesor your desired length
(The clasp section will measureapproximately one inch)
If the cord ends become frayed they canbe fixed with a little super glue
Step 8 And there you areOne finished rose quartzbracelet
Would you like to share a craft project with Creative Crafting
Let us know what project you would like toshare with us
Anything from jewellery knitting and crochetcrafts paper crafts or a craft you feel hasbeen forgotten about
Email thecrystalladycreative-craftingcom
Written by Elderberry Artshttpwwwelderberryartscouk
To those who are not yet aware Prince William and Kate Middleton will tie the knot this month onFriday 29th April in a quiet little ceremony at Westminster Abbey To some this may mean getting aday off to celebrate the nuptials or actually attend the whole affair To others like myself who areself-employed there will be no day off and hence little difference from a normal day but we can stillbe happy for the two love birds entering a state of marital bliss for the first timeIn these uncertain economic times I am not sure how the Royal Wedding will affect the economyhow much money will people want to spend Will this mean street parties like those that dominatemany peoplersquos memories from Prince Charles and Dianarsquos wedding back in 1981 Will there be arush to purchase ridiculously crass lsquosouvenirrsquo mugs plates tea towels or will the market just not bethere at all with all the unsold Royal Wedding goods in the pound shops by JuneThe handmade and crafting sector needs to be aware of the sales potential created by this Royalevent and so products should be made available to support the celebrations and possibly make thecountry feel good about itself again Maybe a lovely warm spring day in April will be good for thecountry and make it forget its economic woes for a few hoursWe asked a number of our sellers about their experience of the last big Royal Wedding (Charles andDiana) and what they are going to do this time to celebrate There were mixed feelings ndash manywere too young to remember much about the 1981 event and even though I remember a day offfrom school I cannot remember any street parties or spontaneous Mardi Gras This time around Ithink money will be a big factor and most people will not stray too far from a bit of home baking inred white and blue and also a show of patriotic bunting Union Jacks are quite the lsquoin thingrsquo at themoment for interior design and so a patriotic statement may double as being hip and trendy
Kim Lampard of Zigzag Bunting thinks a great way tocelebrate the Royal Wedding is to make your own buntingShe suggests pulling together a pile of fabrics that you nolonger need but that hold cherished memories for you forexample your daughterrsquos first cute dress a tea-towel youbought on a special holiday an old bedspread made by your
Granny Even if the items are damaged so cannot be passed on to others there is always a littlecorner that can be cut up into a triangle to make a bunting flag Mix a few of these together and ifyou have enough for a colour scheme (such as red white and blue) fine but donrsquot worry the flagsdonrsquot even need to be the same size Sometimes a shabby chic lsquoMix and Matchrsquo approach turns outto be perfect Sew the fabric triangles onto a piece of ribbon or bias tape and you will have awonderful string of bunting to decorate for the special day You and your family will remember notonly the Royal Wedding when you bring out that bunting but have extra glimpses of their past inthe fabrics Definitely a memento to cherish
Gaye Weekes of A amp V Designs now lives in Snowdonia North Wales and onlyan hour away from Anglesey where the Royal couple will begin their marriedlife She has no doubt had that His Highness has been hovering over theirremote valley in his helicopter over recent months Gaye plans to be flying redwhite and green Welsh bunting for the wedding Her bunting is made fromvintage fabric from the 1950s and 1960s - a cotton heavy woven greenand cream floral and a jolly red and white gingham She adds ldquo
rdquo
This article was written by
from
httpwwwwowthankyoucouk
Karine Ait-Mohamed of The Pink Fairy Cake isFrench but now lives in England She says ldquo
rdquo In the spirit of the occasion Karinehas produced a product that combines both England and France into the celebration Shehas produced sets of two Union Jack hearts filled with lavender from Chateau la Gabelle inHaute-Provence
Lisa MacDonald of LisaMollyMacDonaldis quite enthusiastic about the weddingand getting caught up in the glamour of the
occasion ldquo
rdquo
Lou Carswell of Loubie Jewels has some prettyfantastic red white and blue jewellery which wouldbe suitable for a Royal wedding celebration She told
us ldquo
rdquo
So what can we gather from these observations It will be a nice idea to celebrate the RoyalWedding If we apply a little lsquowartimersquo austerity (handmade lends itself to recycling andupcycling) we shouldnrsquot have to spend a fortune We can step back from commercialism andbe involved in a low key but meaningful way that will make the event more memorable for itssimplicity and just a little thrift God Bless William and Kate
Tell us about yourself
My name is Sandra Ritchie I live in Cleethorpes UK with my husbandJason my 10 year old daughter Alisha my 2 year old son Alfred andour dog Dumbledore Primarily I am a housewife but in my sparetime I make jewellery of all kinds from beaded pieces to metal workbut mainly I make custom-made bespoke precious metal jewellery
When did your crafting begin and why
Many years ago I studied Jewellery and Metal Art at college andover time Ive collected the tools I needed but never got round tosetting up a workroom until 2009 when my Husband pointed outthat our Utility Room would be perfect for me to set up as aworkroom to start making jewellery again It seemed ideal Ialready had people interested in me making them some jewelleryand it meant I could stay at home and look after the children as wellas try to establish a name for myself as a Jewellery designermaker
What was the first item you made to sell online
The first item I made to sell whilst not specifically to sell online was asilver octopus necklace commissioned by an acquaintance of mine thathad seen the silver octopus necklace that I made for myself whilst atcollege and wanted one like it She has since purchased the silver andcopper entwined Dragon necklace and a commissioned silver Dragonand is back on my list for another piece to be made My number onefan I think
What is your biggest crafting achievement and why
I love all the pieces Ive created especially my Custom work but myfavourite piece of all is the Greenman necklace I was approached tomake something as a surprise for someone and was basically giventhe opportunity to produce something different to my usual pieces Ilove making pieces that are based on peoples ideas of what theywant that is really special but the Greenman necklace was mydesign based on what the customer wanted it to represent I had toteach myself etching for the piece as its something Id never learntand Im really pleased with how it worked out
Other than crafting what else do you like to do
I love spending time with my children and family I love baking andcooking too and I suppose I should admit to enjoying the oddrelaxing glass (or bottle) of nice wine when the children are in bed
wwwlittlefairycultcouk
Where would you like to be in 5 years
In 5 years time Id love to be in a better financial position so I canbuy silver and make silver jewellery to sell that isnt just Custom-made Ive started sneaking a few pieces of precious metal jewellerythat are for general sale onto my site
Where does your inspiration come from
My inspiration is usually from the customers themselves They tell mewhat it is they want and I design a piece to reflect that Sometimes theyalter the design slightly to reflect more of how they want it and that isfine For my bead jewellery its usually what beads I have in myworkroom that inspire my beaded pieces I very rarely buy beads for thereason that I have a design idea and usually just buy mixed lots of beadsand work with what I have
What are your favourite materials and why
I really love working with precious metals There is somethinguniquely satisfying about taking a flat sheet of metal and turning itinto a beautiful piece of jewellery Thats why I take pictures of thepieces as I am making them so that other people and the customerwhos item it is can enjoy seeing it progress from a blank piece ofprecious metal into the finished piece
What is favourite shop online that isnrsquot yours and why
Oh my There are so many amazing websites offering beautiful andunique handmade items but I will always take a look at Etsy to see ifthere is anything that catches my eye on there They have such a largevariety of designerssellers making almost everything but the kitchen sink(though I bet if you looked hard enough youd find one on there) Ireally enjoy the little treasuries they do too where you can browse aselection of items that are grouped together by themes
Has any person helped or supported you more than any other
I have had a lot of support from the good friends I have gained on Twitter and of coursemy real life friends have been extremely supportive too but the main reason I actuallysorted out my workroom (or corner of the utility room) was due to my husband insistingthat I start making jewellery again Luckily his insistence and support paid off virtuallystraight away when a friend asked for the octopus necklace I mentioned earlier to bemade
Tell us a random fact about yourself
I have known the sex of each child and whether Id be carrying one or more before I evenconceived them Fairly random but fact nevertheless
Kit includes seed beads 5 x handmade glass beads choker wire x 3 banglewire x 2 ring wire x 3 jewellery pliers beading mat instructions
Makes 8 fabulous and individual pieces of jewellery without the need forfiddly findings books or other money-wasters
Beaded Jewellery Kitpound12Japan Crafts
A coordinating selection of beads plus step-by-step full colour instructions to make your own version of the Jungle Collar design Learn how to work peyote stitch edge it with drops and embellish it with a lush fringe and beaded flowers and leaves Let your beading imagination run wild
Each kit is hand-picked and slightly different so the beads you receive may not be the exact onesshown in the photograph but you can be certain that your necklace will be uniqueThe kit comes carefully packaged in a handy reusable storage box the only things yoursquoll need inaddition are a beading needle a spool of nylon beading thread and some sharp scissors
Beadweaving Kit for Jungle Collar
pound38Lynn Davy
Fairy Earrings Jewellery Making Kit - Ages 7yrs+
pound5Jewellery Making Kits
These single kits are fabulous for all crafty and creative girls They also make great presents for school friends nieces sisters or even grown ups Each kit includes Sterling Silver earwires or studs a small selection of flowers for the skirt a pair of wings a few coloured glass pearls for the heads silver headpin Organza Bag Full set of instructionsSuitable for ages 7 years and up Requires a pair of pliers to finish off - all instructions included
Bracelet Kit - Chunky Swarovski Pearl and Crystal with Toggle Clasp
pound750Wonderstuff Craft Kits
A little kit of bronze Swarovski pearls and Golden Shadow Swarovski crystals silk and toggle clasp
Kit includes 11 x Swarovski 12mm Pearls Colour - Soft Bronze 3 x Swarovski Crystal 8mm Rondelles - Colour - Golden Shadow 8 x Swarovski Crystal 4mmBicones Colour - Light Colorado Topaz 1 x Silver Plated Toggle Bar 1 x Silver plated Toggle RingBracelet length of threading silk Instructions
This kit contains top quality beads to make an exquisite braceletno special tools are needed
Jewellery making kits
from the small crafterWersquove found a selection of wonderful beading kits for allages and experience These are not massed producedsets but offered by the small crafter
This article was created by The Crystal Lady httpwwwmysticearthcouk
This Months
This months lsquoMan of the Monthrsquo is Ade (Adrian)EdmondsonChosen by MegampMillie
This months lsquoLady of the Monthrsquo is GwenStefaniChosen by Claire Pearcy from Elderberry Arts
httpwwwgwenstefanicom
httpwwwunrealitytvcouklets-dance-for-comic-relieflets-dance-for-comic-relief-results-ade-edmondson-and-eighties-super-group-make-next-weeks-final
(Nothing like an April Fools)
This months lsquoBlog of the Month Awardrsquo goes to lsquoItrsquos All Fiddle Fartrsquo
httpitsallfiddlefartblogspotcom
This months lsquoShop of the Month Awardrsquo goes to lsquoJulias DriftwoodFurniturersquo
httpwwwfolksycomshopsseasandview123
ww
wc
reativ
e-cr
afting
co
mw
ww
cr
eative-c
on
nec
tion
snin
gc
om
CREATIVE CRAFTING
Our next issue will be available to read on
1st June 2010If you have missed any of our issues you
can find them to read on our websitewwwcreative-craftingcom
And also on our Social Network Creative Connectionswwwcreative-connectionsningcom
To advertise in Creative Crafting or to submit an article please contact Annaat thecrystalladycreative-craftingcom
AUGUSTSUMMER 2010
Issue 5
By Crafters for Crafters
Check out our
CraftersDirectory
CREATIVE CRAFTING
By Crafters for Crafters
Issue 3
ValentinesMothers Day 2010
HandcraftedWeddingSpecial
Valentine ampMothers Day
Projects
Have youbeen
featured
By Crafters for Crafters
Issue 3ValentinesMothers Day 2010
Handcrafted
Wedding
SpecialValentine amp
Mothers Day
ProjectsHave you
been
featured
By
EASTER 2010
Issue 4
FATHERS DAY 2010
Issue 4
By Crafters for Crafters
Ch
eck out our
Craft
ersDirectory
AUGUSTSUMMER 2
010
Issu
e 5
By Craf
ters fo
r Craf
ters
Chec
k out our
Crafters
Directory
CREATIVE
C
RAFTINGAU
TUM
N H
ALLO
WEE
N 201
0Is
sue
7
CREA
TIVE
CRAF
TIN
G
By Craf
ters f
or C
rafter
s
Chec
k
out our
Craft
ersDirect
ory
An
niv
ersa
ry
Issu
e
Donrsquot forget
All of our links andadverts are fullyclickable
If you would like to embed our magazine into your website blog myspace page etc you can
customise the code to suit your style and size
AUTUMN HALLOWEEN 2010
Issue 7CREATIVE CRAFTING
By Crafters for Crafters
Check out our
CraftersDirectory
Anniversary
Issue
CHRISTMAS 2010
Issue 8
By Crafters for Crafters
FATHERS DAY 2010
Issue 4
By Crafters for Crafters
Check out our
Crafters
Directory
EASTER 2010
Issue 4
By Crafters for Crafters
By Crafters for Crafters
VALENTINES 2011Issue 9
CREATIVE CRAFTING
What you will needFleece material - To determine the size needed- measure the circumference of your head(around your ears) and add 12 inch for seamallowance This will be the width and the lengthmeasurement is 20 inchesCotton thread in the same or contrasting colour
Average Head Sizes -
Newborn (6 months and younger)Circumference 14 to 17 inchesCrown 8 to 10 inches
Infant (6 to 12 months)Circumference 16 to 19 inchesCrown 11 to 12 inches
Child (12 months to 3 years)Circumference 18 to 20 inchesCrown 11 to 12 inches
Step 1 Lay out your fleece on a flat surface anddraw out a rectangle using the measurements forthe hat size required This should be 20 inches longand the width will be the circumference measurementof the size hat your making plus 12 inch seamallowance So to make a hat for a child with a headcircumference of 15 inches the width should be15 12 inches
Claire from Elderberry Arts shows us how to make achildrens hat from fleece material
Why not experiment this Easter holiday
Below are easy to follow instructions and a sizing guide
Thin length of fleece approx 12 inches by12 inchRuler or tape measureTailors chalk or penScissorsPinsSewing needles or sewing machine
Elderberrry Arts
Step 4 Place the right sides of the fleecetogether and pin along the length of thematerial Sew along this edge either by handor machine Knot ends and sewing inside thehem You can trim this hem to make it even andneater if needed
Step 5 Turn the hat right side out andarrange it so the seam is in the middleback From the bottom of your hatmeasure the crown length and place thefleece strip under the hat at this point
Step 6 Tie the ends of thestrip together and pull tightto gather hat
Step 7 Now cut the topsection of the hat into stripsapproximately 12 inch wide
Once youve cut all the wayround the strips can be trimmedto shorten them if required
You could also thread plastic ponybeads on some or all of the stripsknotting the bottom to secure them
Step 2 Cut out the rectangleof fleece Then cut a strip 12inches by 12 inch of fleecefrom the leftover material
Step 3 Pin a hem approx12 inch wide across theshorter length of fleece
Sew either by hand or machineKnot ends and sewing insidethe hem
Written by Elderberry Artshttpwwwelderberryartscouk
Rug Making Ragtag RugsWith
Looking for something fabulous to make using all your old T-shirts sweat shirts and other disusedgarments If so this could be the project for you
The craft of making rag rugs is very traditional and dates backto the mid eighteen hundreds itrsquos still very relevant today whatwith the importance of recycling the other great thing aboutit is that the design on the rug can pretty much be whateveryou want it to be - an image of your pet or your house anabstract or geometric design or something floral traditionalhellip itrsquos totally up to you and your imagination
The technique Irsquoll be using for this project is a method calledlsquohookingrsquo which is very simple and produces a soft and hardwearing pile Irsquove tried to keep everything simple and equipment to a minimum so that everyone canhave a go My favourite fabrics to use are the afore mentioned T-shirts and sweat shirts as they frayvery little but most textiles of a medium thickness can be used
MaterialsVirtually any material can be used in a rag rug some materials are easier to work with than othersThe best materials to use for hooking include T-shirts sweat shirts lightweight cottonssynthetics amplightweight woolsynthetic jumpers Fabrics such as heavy weight denim are not suitableFor this project Irsquove used plain fabrics but patterned fabrics can also be used
HookingStep 1 Working with the Hessian design side up poke the hook through the Hessian and grab thestrip of fabric underneath with the hook
Step 2 Pull the end of the strip of fabric up through the Hessian so that you leave a tail of at least1 cm sticking up
Step 3 Move the hook along about half a centimeter poke it back down through the Hessian andpull a loop of fabric up through to the top of the Hessian a loop height of about 1 cm is best thenjust repeat this technique filling in the required area when you reach the end of a fabric strip pullthe end up through the Hessian and trim it so itrsquos the same height as the loopsMake sure your loops are dense enough and you canrsquot see any of the Hessian backing There is noneed to physically fix the loops in place as they will stay put automatically due to the thickness ofThe fabric and the denseness of the loops
What you will needA piece of Hessian measuring 90 cm x 110 cmSelection of fabrics cut into strips measuring1 - 2 cm wide depending on the thickness ofthe fabric and avoid any seamsRug hookDressmakers pinsScissors
Large-eyed needleBall of woolMarker penYard stick metre ruler2 sheets of thin A4 card or a flattened cereal packetCompassPencil
Ragtag Rugs Rug Making Ragtag RugsWith
Step 1 Using the compass and pencildraw two circles measuring 185 cmacross on the sheets of card and cut theseout using the scissors
Step 2 Using the marker pen and metre rule draw a rectangle on the piece of Hessian measuring63 cm x 84 cm leaving a boarder of about 12 cm all the way around the rectangle Divide therectangle into four giving you central lines for the width and length of the rug Place the card spotson the Hessian in the appropriate places and draw around them using the marker pen for the halfand quarter spots fold one of the card templates accordingly and then draw around it Draw in yourdesigns within the spots
Step 3 Fold under the raw edges of the Hessian and stitch with arunning stitch using the large-eyed needle and wool this is to preventthe Hessian fraying selvedge edges can be left as they are
Step 4 Hook in the strips of fabrics filling in the spots first and then thebackground You can either use the design shown here or make up yourown spots and colour scheme
Step 5 When completed lay the rug face down on the floor and turn in a hem of about 6 cms tothe back of the rug and pin it all the way around fold and pin the corners as neatly as possibleSew the hem to the back of the rug with a running stitch using the large-eyed needle and woolVoila You have a rug
wwwfolksycomshopsragtagrugs
Written by Ragtag Rugs
SupplierFor an American Style Rug Hook costing about pound750 and also Hessian go to Fred Aldous CraftSupplies wwwfredaldouscouk
NoteSome people prefer to use a rug making frame which helps to keep the rugsquare but as the rug wersquore making here is fairly small and wersquore keepingthings simple Irsquove dispensed with this
The first item I sold online was on my Folksy shop(httpwwwfolksycomshopsLaurabyTheSea) and was a vintage ceramic andbead brooch the buyer was very pleased with it and gave me great feedback
Tell us about yourselfMy name is Laura and I live by the sea in the East of England Pakefield to be precise I live with my wonderful Brother who is a musician so we have a very creative household and in our bright conservatory I make ldquoLaura by The Seardquo jewellery (from necklaces brooches amp bracelets to ear rings and hair slides) using vintage ceramics I break vintage crockery hand sand it to ensure there are no sharp edges and make the shards into beautiful jewellery
When did your crafting begin and whyI began studying ceramics during my BA Hons degree in Fine Art at The University of Portsmouthwhich is where my obsession for vintage crockery began to grow Initially I began by making newplates and tea cups with vintage shards in but soon the beauty of the ceramic shards startedappealing to me which is when I had the idea of making jewellery out of them - and one day I justdid it and havenrsquot stopped since I just love how the cute patterns really stand out against the silverchain
What was the first item you made to sell online
What is your biggest crafting achievement and why
I think my biggest crafting achievement since starting Laura by The SeaJewellery has to be getting interviewed for the national ldquoMAKE Jewelleryrdquomagazine as their new ldquoIt accessoryrdquo designer I totally didnrsquot expect themto contact me via my Folksy store
Other than crafting what else do you like to do
In my spare time I like to paint I write I stronglybelieve it is the simple things in life that count I am a collectorof anything old with a story and pick up anything found on the seashore First morning sunshine trawling antique treasure troves walks on the sand with my pooch Sepia tones and seeing life through a lens makes me happy I do a photographyfashion blog(laurabytheseatumblrcom) and am a very sociable person These are a fewof my favourite things and yes that should include raindrops on roses andbrown paper packages tied up with string
Where would you like to be in 5 years
In 5 years time I would love to be able to do this on a full time basis tomake enough money to live I am aiming to have my jewellery sold in manyUK wide independent stores and hopefully a few abroad However theultimate dream is to have my jewellery featured in Vogue
The first item I sold online was on my Folksy shop(httpwwwfolksycomshopsLaurabyTheSea) and was a vintage ceramic andbead brooch the buyer was very pleased with it and gave me great feedback
Where does your inspiration come from
My inspiration comes from trawling antique and vintage shops photography (one of my current favphotographers is Elizabeth Sarah from America) and I am always inspired by other people When Iget talking with my friends about anything creative the juices start flowing and I get more designideas I am also inspired and work along with music (anything from RampB amp Hip-hop to Reggae andJazz I have an eclectic mix)
What are your favourite materials and why
Vintage ceramics because I adore the vintage floral prints on the crockeryand like the idea of being as eco-friendly as possible and like to only userecycled materials in my jewellery
What is favourite shop online that isnrsquot yours and why
My favourite online shop has to be Loglike a contemporary gift and home ware store with vintageelements The owner makes cute candlesticks from vintage plates and saucers that look amazing onmy coffee table (see httpwwwfolksycomshopsLoglike)
Has any person helped or supported you more than any other
I would have to say my parents and Brother Not just financially when Iwas a poor struggling student but they are supportive with everything Ido in life and I just couldnrsquot do without them My brother is more like abest friend
Tell us a random fact about yourself
I have 23 dresses in my wardrobe and have a vinyl collection of mostly 1980rsquos music (my guiltypleasure)
httpwwwfolksycomshopsLaurabyTheSea
Visit
Lauraat
in the GardenHi Irsquom Tina
Good to have you visit with me again in The GardenI think we will sit in the conservatory this morning the sun is juststreaming in it is so wonderful to feel the warmth after such a coldwinter I have the kettle on and some little iced biscuits butremember we must not over indulge me especially as I have notbeen working in the garden so much just sitting in doors munching
Well Spring is here at last and it does seem to be in a hurrythis year the crab apple is already in bud and also the fruittrees
I had my own little piece of garden and the plants therewere in my charge if I forgot to water them and theydied mother would say you have to be responsible givethem a little care and you will be rewarded with so muchbeauty and as I look around the garden today thebeauty just takes my breath awayI checked out the herbs after the winter and just look atthis monster itrsquos the parsley how great is this
Here is a photo of the willow catkins or lambs tails as mymother used to call them she was a country woman andknew every wild flower by their old country names sheloved all nature and her garden and was my inspirationfrom an early age
wwwtina-in-the-gardenblogspotcom
Also I think that this flower is really confused it is of coursean antirrhinum when I emptied the summer bedding fromthe tubs some were still fine so I planted them in thegarden and as you can see have been well rewarded Alsosome silver foliage plants which I cannot remember thename of and of course have lost thelabel they seem to think that it isalready summer
At the moment you can get into the bog it does not look half as mysterious as it does inthe summer you can even see the streamMy better half and I have one or two projects this summer well I have theideas and he makes them work howlucky am I So watch this space
Oh you have to leave well thank you again for coming be safe until your next visit withme in The Garden
Your green fingered friendTina
The bluebells are coming throughin the wood not long now beforethey flower they have to hurrybefore the trees get their leaves
Creative CraftingAdvertise with
wwwcreative-craftingcomadvertisehtml
A mouse herecould take customers
to your store
We care about yourcraft business
Prices startfrom
only pound2
There are a lot of different crafts to choose fromThis series of articles will discover some of the more unusual and also some
old world crafts that may have been almost forgotten
This article was created by
The Crystal Ladyhttpwwwmysticearthcouk
Sold by Amazon
Knitting with Dog Hairby Anne Montgomery
Contains easy step-by-step instructions for collecting cleaningstoring and spinning your dogs fur The book includes originalknitting patterns for the novice and the pro - from mittens toshawls to lace collars from your cats hair
How to Knit a Dog Hair Sweater
E-How
The brushed undercoat of a dog is called chiengora and can be used for knittingcrocheting or felting just like lambs wool or other yarn Dogs hair has been used forcenturies for weaving blankets and other coverings Dogs hair is much warmer thanwool Here is how to knit a sweater from dog hair
After the tutorial the writer goes on to leave a warning that dog hair is much warmerthan wool and an entire garment made of dog hair will be too hot to wear
I also found a very fascinating article about a lady called Laurie Moy on the Boulder DailyCamera website
Better a sweater from a dog you know and love than from a sheepyoull never meet
Warp and woof-woof Making clothes out of dog hair
Read more Boulder Daily Camera
This was discovered in an American newspaper by Creative Craftings Tinawe just had to tell you about it
I did some Googling about this and apparently there is quite alot about it I found a tutorial on the popular E-How site
Irsquom sure like me yoursquoll find this quite fascinatingIf any of our spinners out there fancy a go atcreating some yarn from their pooches we wouldlove to see some of the results It is also a greatidea for recycling all of that fluff that you areconstantly sweeping up off your sofa or yourcarpet There really is a use for most things afterall
Salt dough is so quick and easy (and therapeutic) to make endlessly adaptable a joy to sharewith the kids and has the advantage of being made from store-cupboard basics (although youcould make these projects in clay or fimo or even plasticine)The drawbacks are that it takes a while to cookpaintvarnish it will dissolve in wet or very dampconditions and will break if you drop it So allow yourself a couple of days to produce a finishedpiece and varnish thoroughly when decorated to protect against any damage
Making a Batch of Salt Dough
1 Mug of Table Salt2 Mugs of Plain FlourApprox 1 Mug of Tepid Water (Add final frac14 slowly)1 Tablespoon of Olive or Vegetable Oil (Optional)
Mix the flour and salt together in a bowlIf you are using oil (which helps to add elasticity but is optional and not necessary) add it to themug of water Add the water (with or without oil) to the salt and flour mixAdd most of the water stirring into the dry ingredients with a wooden spoon Add the last of thewater carefully as you will need more or less depending on humidity and the gradequality of theflourYou need to add enough to bind the ingredients without making it too sticky Empty onto a lightlyfloured surface and knead for at least ten minutes until the dough is smooth and slightly warm
A Few Tips for Modelling Salt DoughRoll out salt dough onto a lightly floured surface with a floured rolling pin or you could use abottle if you havent got a rolling pin Gently flattening salt dough with the heels of your hands willwork too but keep moving the dough to keep it even and turn it over to the fresh smooth sidejust before you begin cutting shapesKeep the thickness of your pieces under an inch much thicker than this and they wont hardenproperly in the middleUse a sharp knife to cut salt dough shapes but a blunt knife (or the back of a knife) is useful whenmarking lines onto the dough A scalpel or craft knife is best for cutting out intricate shapesUse pastry cutters plasticine moulds forks hair grips scrubbing brushes experiment withanything you have lying around the house
Cooking Salt DoughCook your salt dough pieces slowly in a very low oven The cooler and slower the better to preventdistortion in the cooking process These pieces were cooked at 140275 degrees or Gas Mark 1 forapproximately 2 hours but I often leave them all day in the oven at its lowest setting
Heartmade Gifts
Decorating Salt DoughYou can decorate your pieces before or after the cooking process Try adding food colouringherbs and spices tea or coffee to your dough as you knead it Or try painting your uncooked piecewith an egg wash for a lovely golden glowExperiment with various mediums on cooked pieces Gouache and acrylics work well but posterpaint is fine (if a little limited in colour variation) and you could try chalks felt tips or crayonsUse glue to add decorations including glitter sequins fabric bows tiny scraps of paper etcIts nice to leave the dough perfectly natural sometimes and sometimes a combination of naturaldough and painted areas works very wellVarnish thoroughly Any varnish will work I tend to use a spray varnish as a first coat to set thepaints then I add a few coats of a super store own brand wood varnish (If you need yourfinished piece to be especially waterproof try yacht varnish but be aware that it will tend tochange the colours making them yellowish)Use a small brush to get into all the nooks and crannies and allow each coat to dry thoroughlybefore applying the next one The more coats you apply the better protected your final pieceHowever unvarnished salt dough I have made for personal use (or the odd forgotten piece) hassurvived very well even in a slightly damp old house So dont let a lack of varnish deter you fromtrying salt dough But if you are creating a family heirloom four or five coats of a good varnish willensure it lasts for yearsTry these two Easter projects the ldquoEgg-stra Specialrdquo eggs are very quick and simple enough to dowith small children the primrose basket takes a while and is a little fiddly but well worth tryingand very easy to adapt by choosing your own flower or perhaps some other motif
~ Egg-stra Special Eggs ~
1 Form an egg shape from a small ball of dough by rolling in your hands and pressthis gently onto your baking tray(Its easier to build your salt dough pieces directly onto the tray you will use tocook them rather than try and move them while they are still uncooked I havebuilt my eggs onto the kitchen surface because it will be easier for you to see whatIm doing)
2 Roll out a piece of salt dough and use it to cover the bottom end of youregg like a blanket When you are happy with the position gently lift andrun a wet paintbrush between the two pieces to glue them together
3 Cut out an egg cup shape around your egg
4 Use a damp paintbrush to push the egg cup onto the eggand ensure it sticks
(A damp paintbrush also helps soften edges and blend any creases or cracks)
5 Uncurl an old metal paperclip and push into the dough to form a hangingloop You can use a piece of any wire I try and use paperclips or a piece of wire
coat-hanger as I like to recycle An alternative hanging method is to create a smallhole (or two holes for larger pieces) and thread a ribbon or piece of leather shoelacethrough the hole tying it to make a loop)
6 Cut out a small bow shape from a piece of flattened dough
7 Cut two ribbon ends from a rectangle of flattened dough
8 Use a wet paintbrush to layer the ribbon ends onto thetop of your egg
9 Attach the bow in position And add a small piece to the centre ofthe bow to finish
10 Cook
11 Decorate in whatever way takes your fancy hellip have fun
~ Primrose Basket ~
1 Cover a bowl in greaseproof paper and turn upside down onto your baking tray
2 Roll out some dough to approx 5mm thickness and cut into thin stripslong enough to cover your bowl
3 Lay four of these strips across the bottom ofyour bowl
4 Begin weaving four in the opposite direction by gently liftingalternate strips out of the way laying the cross strip and replacingthe lifted strips
5 Then add one strip to each side until you reach the edge of the bowl
6 Trim the edge with a knife or fold the stripsback to form a rough bowl lip You can indentsomething on the dough to secure anddecorate
7 Cook
8 Carefully remove the bowl and paper
9 Make primrose flowers and leaves and glue them to the rim with a wetpaintbrush replacing your bowl in the oven for a short whileLeaves ndash cut rough leaf shapes out of a piece of flatted dough and mark theveins and indent the edges with the back of a knifeFlowers ndash use a small heart cutter to cut 5 heart shapes and place on the rim with pointstogether indenting the centre with your fingertip and then marking with the end of a paintbrushPaint with whichever medium you prefer or have to hand I have used acrylics here leaving thebasket natural and painting the primrose leaves green and the flowers yellow adding someorange to the centres of the flowers while the yellow is still damp for a blurred effect
This article was written by Diannefrom Heartmade Gifts
Join Heartmade Gifts on Facebook
wwwheartmadegiftswordpresscom
Lilac Lace Heart LocketJewellery by Bina
Vintage Victorian StyledSweetheart Locket
Miss Bohemia
pound17
pound15
Emerald Bewitched
youmin
$40
The Bright Forest Locket
marisolspoon
$35
Cameral Locket
mydogandi
$2750
Creative CraftingFavourite
This article was created by
The Crystal Ladyhttpwwwmysticearthcouk
Lockets may sound very old fashioned but if you have a wander through thehandmade sites you will find a wealth of very modern and extremely beautifuldesigns Perfect for you to carry your loved ones with you wherever you go
Bee Joyful LocketThe Whimsical Wren
pound10
SteampunkWatch Mechanism
Locketedmdesigns
$85
Luscious LocketsLuscious Lockets
Who likes Chocolate CakeThis is a great recipe for Easter Mothers day or any other daylets admit it we all love chocolate
Ingredients
7 oz self raising flour8 oz caster sugar1 teaspoon of salt2 tablespoons of cocoa powder4 oz margarine2 eggs beaten with5 tablespoons evaporated milk5 tablespoons water1 teaspoon vanilla essence
1 Sift together flour sugar and salt and cocoa2 Rub in margarine3 Stir in eggs essence and liquids then beat well4 Grease and flour 2 8 inch cake tins divide the mixture between them5 Bake in a moderate over 325-350 F gas mark 3 about 35 minutes6 When cold sandwich together and cover in milk chocolate icing
Milk chocolate Icing
Ingredients
2 and a half oz margarine or butter4 tablespoons cocoa8 oz sieved icing sugar3 tablespoons hot milk1 teaspoon vanilla essence
Melt the margarine or butter and blend incocoa powder then stir in icing sugar milkand vanilla essence Beat until smooth andthick
We hope you all enjoy the recipe we would love to see anypictures of chocolate cakes that you make
Instructions
Instructions
Written and reviewed by Peggyrsquos Knitshttppeggyscollectionwebscom
By Sprinkles Sparkleshttpwwwsprinklessparklescouk
All prices are correct at the time of publication
Budget amp LuxurySpring special
Woodland DaffodilsCharm Bracelet
Coco Angel Rosepound1600
Spring Flower Hair ClipFlutter2me
pound450
Spring flowers broochDi Does Craft
pound800
Pink Spring Clutchfunky diva designs
pound1750
Cupcake BuntingCotton Cottage
pound1650
Purple TulipsWildrose Ridge
pound350
Chickadees and LilacsStained Glass WindowStained Glass Addie
pound4940
The Charlotte - SageRosalind Jamespound14500
Springtime 16 Crayon RollApple n Amos
pound509
Buttercup earrings in softyellow with peridot and brass
Goblins Marketpound401
Springtime DalaFolk Horse HangingDecoration - YellowCourt and Spark
pound400
D A P H N E - BrokenChina Plate Pendant
and Sterling Silver NecklaceDesigns by Mila
pound2228
To make the leaves
Using DK yarn and 300 mm hook make 5 leaves as follows
Rnd 1 9ch dc in 2nd ch 1htr in next ch 1tr in each of next 6ch 3ch ss in base of last tr worked
Now work on opposite side of stitches by turning the work
Rnd 2 3ch 1tr in each of next 6ch 1htr in next ch dc ss in top of first stFasten off and sew in loose ends
Materials
Small quantity of DK yarn I have used a yarn with awool-mix but any DK yarn of your choice will be suitableSmall quantity of kid mohair yarn (use two strands together)300 mm hook200 mm hookOne large buttonBrooch pinSewing needle
To make the small rose
Using a 200 mm hook and working two strands of kid mohair yarn together 13ch
Rnd 1 1tr 2ch 1tr in 4th ch (skip 2ch 1tr 2ch 1tr in next ch) 3 times (4 v- spaces)
Rnd 2 3ch 6tr into next v-space 1dc into space between v-spaces Continue with 6tr into eachv-space and 1dc in between spaces until end ss into last ch Fasten off
Roll the work with fingers from start to finish to create a small rose flower and sew together at thebase
Assembling the brooch
Turn the flower so the right side is facing up and sew the button in the centre of the flowerAttach the rose to the centre of the button as shown in diagram Sew a brooch pin to the back of theflower to complete the brooch
Arrange the 5 leaves to form a circle so thecorners of the leaves are touching Sew eachcorner together to form the petals of aflower
Turn the work so the wrong side is facing upand close the hole by sewing together withthe same DK yarn used to make the leaves
Crochet Flower Brooch
ch - chain stitchdc - double crochethtr - half treble crochetss - slip stitchtr - treble crochetst - stitch
Crochet Mobile PhoneiPod Cosy
Materials
50g Dk yarn in mustard colourSmall quantity of DK yarn in bright pink for picot edgingof cosy and small roseSmall quantity of DK yarn in sage green for leaves of roseflowerSize 300mm hook
Instructions for the cosy
The cosy can be made to fit a mobile phoneiPod of your choice
Pattern note the pattern is worked in dc throughout and worked in the round using the tapestrycrochet method of crochet This involves carrying a second yarn below the first making it verystrong
Foundation row
Using one strand of DK yarn in mustard make a chain that measures the width of your mobilephoneipod
Rnd 1 dc across row until the last chain 2dc in last chain Turn work
Rnd 2 Begin to carry a second strand of mustard yarn throughouteach round and every round from now on This yarn is not worked butcarried below the first strand of yarn
Work along the opposite side of the row just worked 1dc in first ch1ch in each chain until the last chain 2dc in last chain Now mark thelast stitch just worked with a different colour yarn so you can see theend of the round and keep moving this marker up to the last stitchworked
Rnd 3 Dc in each chain around working in spirals moving the stitchmarker as the piece grows Continue until the work measures thedesired length to fit the mobileiPod Fasten off and tie in loose ends
ch - chain stitchdc - double crochethtr - half treble crochetss - slip stitchtr - treble crochetst - stitch
Instructions for rose flower
Rnd 1 Using DK yarn in bright pink 1tr 2ch 1tr in 4th ch (skip 2ch1tr 2ch 1tr in next ch) 3 times (4 v- spaces)
Rnd 2 3ch 6tr into next v-space 1dc into space between v-spacesContinue with 6tr into each v-space and 1dc in between spaces untilend ss into last ch Fasten off
Roll the work with fingers from start to finish to create a small rose flower and sew together at thebase
Instructions for leaves
Using DK yarn and 300mm hook make 2 leaves as follows
Rnd 1 5ch dc in 2nd ch 1htr in next ch 1tr in each of next 2ch 3ch ss in base of last tr workedNow work on opposite side of stitches by turning the work
Rnd 2 3ch 1tr in each of next 2 ch 1htr in next ch dc ss in top of first st Fasten off and sew inloose ends
Assembly
Sew the leaves to the reverse of the rose and attach to the cosy as shown in the picture
Picot edging
Rnd 1 Using DK yarn in bright pink dc into each stitch around the edge of the cosy opening ss tofirst dc
Rnd 2 3ch ss into 2nd chain from hook ss into base of 3ch dc into next 2ch 3ch continuefrom to ss into last ch Fasten off and sew in loose ends
Written by Andrea Lesley Crochethttpwwwfolksycomshopsandrealesleycrochet
Materials
T - shirt - colour your choiceScissorsChainSewing needle and threadCorsage or embellishments
Step 1 First get a plain whitet-shirt
Step 2 Then cut off the neck Step 3 Now sew two pieces of chain to each side of where theneckline should be
Step 4 Cut a triangle out ofthe bottom of the t-shirt
Step 5 Tie the two ends thatare left into a knot or bow
Step 6 Finally add a corsageor flower to the front
Step 7 Now you have a bang on trend crop top simply wear over a vest top I loved designing andgokking up this t-shirt it took minutes and didnt cost a lot either
Corsage made by Madam SalamihttpwwwetsycomshopMadamSalami
Written By Heidi Jackson
Favourite finds from around the crafting communityThis months focus is Easter and Spring
Click on the images to take you to their store
Online StreetMISI
Ring With A FlowerBlue Fish Handmade
pound800
Spring necklace in glassand sterling silver
RosieJo Jewellerypound1275
Easter Eggs CardNaomi Constable
pound250
FOLKSY
Easter rabbit cushionwith choccie eggs
Phoebelinas Treasurespound500
Easter Knitted BagsFluerette
pound300
Small Gorgeous FeltSpring Bouquets
Spare Minute Productionspound2000
WOW THANK YOU
Green And Brown PetalFlower Bracelet
Sprinkles Sparklespound3750 inc pampp
Handmade Pink Canvas Wall Art(Set of 3)
Craft on Canvaspound3900 inc pampp
Blue Easter ChickDharmapaintings
pound12 20 inc pampp
All prices correct at the time of publication
Favourite finds from around the crafting communityThis months focus is Easter and Spring
Click on the images to take you to their store
Best PicksUGLY BE GONE
Handpainted DottyDolly Pegs
Ticketty Boopound650
Quirky Motifs ShopperRachael Taylor
pound1500
Collette the Cow BibBaby Boutique
pound1100
The Cutie Pie - recycledpaper butterfly shadow boxThe WingSpan Collection
pound6421
Easter 1 Square PendantHappy Easter Spring Flowers
Miss Gooseberry Pendantspound321
ETSY
RETROEasterplastic springfling daisy clip-on earringsamber brown makes art
pound208ARTFIRE
Easter Egg Mini Cards 2x2 6Peculiar Parchment
pound170
Spring Chicks - Little FusedGlass Dish - Easter Gift
First Light Glasspound926
4 Chocolate Easter ParadeBunny Lollipops extra large
Candy Cottagepound741
All prices correct at the time of publication
What you will need3 x 10 inch lengths of purple Cylon cord10mm silver plated lobster clasp and clasp tag2 x silver plated fold over necklace endsApprox 24 Rose Quartz gemstone chip beads(holes need to be large enough to thread onelength of the cylon cord though)2 x 4mm silver plated jump rings
Rose Quartz is the stone of unconditionalloveIt purifies and opens the heart helping thewearer to love themselves as well as others
Rose Quartz draws off negative energy andhelps release unexpressed emotions
Encourages self forgiveness and acceptanceaids self trust and self worth
I find it easier to use a macrame board for making this type of bracelet as it make it easier tokeep the design neat but its not essential I use a simple board made from a cork notice boardand pins I also use nylon nosed pliers to fold over the necklace ends as I find metal pliers oftenleave marks but again they arent essential
Step 2 Thread a chip bead onto each of the outer lengths ofcord
Step 3 Cross the outer cordsover the middle one as youwould in a braid Then braid thecords again
Step 1 Attach one of thenecklace ends to one end ofthe three lengths of CyloncordYou can then use the hole inthe end to attach the braceletto your board
Make a Rose Quartz Bracelet
Step 6 Attach the secondnecklace end to the three cordwithout cutting them as it makesit easier The ends can then betrimmed with a craft knife orsharp scissors
Step 7 Using the jump ringsattach the clasp to one end ofthe bracelet and the clasp tagto the other
Step 4 Thread two chip beadson to the new outer lengths ofcord and braid as in the previousstep
Step 5 Repeat step three and four untilthe bracelet reaches seven inchesor your desired length
(The clasp section will measureapproximately one inch)
If the cord ends become frayed they canbe fixed with a little super glue
Step 8 And there you areOne finished rose quartzbracelet
Would you like to share a craft project with Creative Crafting
Let us know what project you would like toshare with us
Anything from jewellery knitting and crochetcrafts paper crafts or a craft you feel hasbeen forgotten about
Email thecrystalladycreative-craftingcom
Written by Elderberry Artshttpwwwelderberryartscouk
To those who are not yet aware Prince William and Kate Middleton will tie the knot this month onFriday 29th April in a quiet little ceremony at Westminster Abbey To some this may mean getting aday off to celebrate the nuptials or actually attend the whole affair To others like myself who areself-employed there will be no day off and hence little difference from a normal day but we can stillbe happy for the two love birds entering a state of marital bliss for the first timeIn these uncertain economic times I am not sure how the Royal Wedding will affect the economyhow much money will people want to spend Will this mean street parties like those that dominatemany peoplersquos memories from Prince Charles and Dianarsquos wedding back in 1981 Will there be arush to purchase ridiculously crass lsquosouvenirrsquo mugs plates tea towels or will the market just not bethere at all with all the unsold Royal Wedding goods in the pound shops by JuneThe handmade and crafting sector needs to be aware of the sales potential created by this Royalevent and so products should be made available to support the celebrations and possibly make thecountry feel good about itself again Maybe a lovely warm spring day in April will be good for thecountry and make it forget its economic woes for a few hoursWe asked a number of our sellers about their experience of the last big Royal Wedding (Charles andDiana) and what they are going to do this time to celebrate There were mixed feelings ndash manywere too young to remember much about the 1981 event and even though I remember a day offfrom school I cannot remember any street parties or spontaneous Mardi Gras This time around Ithink money will be a big factor and most people will not stray too far from a bit of home baking inred white and blue and also a show of patriotic bunting Union Jacks are quite the lsquoin thingrsquo at themoment for interior design and so a patriotic statement may double as being hip and trendy
Kim Lampard of Zigzag Bunting thinks a great way tocelebrate the Royal Wedding is to make your own buntingShe suggests pulling together a pile of fabrics that you nolonger need but that hold cherished memories for you forexample your daughterrsquos first cute dress a tea-towel youbought on a special holiday an old bedspread made by your
Granny Even if the items are damaged so cannot be passed on to others there is always a littlecorner that can be cut up into a triangle to make a bunting flag Mix a few of these together and ifyou have enough for a colour scheme (such as red white and blue) fine but donrsquot worry the flagsdonrsquot even need to be the same size Sometimes a shabby chic lsquoMix and Matchrsquo approach turns outto be perfect Sew the fabric triangles onto a piece of ribbon or bias tape and you will have awonderful string of bunting to decorate for the special day You and your family will remember notonly the Royal Wedding when you bring out that bunting but have extra glimpses of their past inthe fabrics Definitely a memento to cherish
Gaye Weekes of A amp V Designs now lives in Snowdonia North Wales and onlyan hour away from Anglesey where the Royal couple will begin their marriedlife She has no doubt had that His Highness has been hovering over theirremote valley in his helicopter over recent months Gaye plans to be flying redwhite and green Welsh bunting for the wedding Her bunting is made fromvintage fabric from the 1950s and 1960s - a cotton heavy woven greenand cream floral and a jolly red and white gingham She adds ldquo
rdquo
This article was written by
from
httpwwwwowthankyoucouk
Karine Ait-Mohamed of The Pink Fairy Cake isFrench but now lives in England She says ldquo
rdquo In the spirit of the occasion Karinehas produced a product that combines both England and France into the celebration Shehas produced sets of two Union Jack hearts filled with lavender from Chateau la Gabelle inHaute-Provence
Lisa MacDonald of LisaMollyMacDonaldis quite enthusiastic about the weddingand getting caught up in the glamour of the
occasion ldquo
rdquo
Lou Carswell of Loubie Jewels has some prettyfantastic red white and blue jewellery which wouldbe suitable for a Royal wedding celebration She told
us ldquo
rdquo
So what can we gather from these observations It will be a nice idea to celebrate the RoyalWedding If we apply a little lsquowartimersquo austerity (handmade lends itself to recycling andupcycling) we shouldnrsquot have to spend a fortune We can step back from commercialism andbe involved in a low key but meaningful way that will make the event more memorable for itssimplicity and just a little thrift God Bless William and Kate
Tell us about yourself
My name is Sandra Ritchie I live in Cleethorpes UK with my husbandJason my 10 year old daughter Alisha my 2 year old son Alfred andour dog Dumbledore Primarily I am a housewife but in my sparetime I make jewellery of all kinds from beaded pieces to metal workbut mainly I make custom-made bespoke precious metal jewellery
When did your crafting begin and why
Many years ago I studied Jewellery and Metal Art at college andover time Ive collected the tools I needed but never got round tosetting up a workroom until 2009 when my Husband pointed outthat our Utility Room would be perfect for me to set up as aworkroom to start making jewellery again It seemed ideal Ialready had people interested in me making them some jewelleryand it meant I could stay at home and look after the children as wellas try to establish a name for myself as a Jewellery designermaker
What was the first item you made to sell online
The first item I made to sell whilst not specifically to sell online was asilver octopus necklace commissioned by an acquaintance of mine thathad seen the silver octopus necklace that I made for myself whilst atcollege and wanted one like it She has since purchased the silver andcopper entwined Dragon necklace and a commissioned silver Dragonand is back on my list for another piece to be made My number onefan I think
What is your biggest crafting achievement and why
I love all the pieces Ive created especially my Custom work but myfavourite piece of all is the Greenman necklace I was approached tomake something as a surprise for someone and was basically giventhe opportunity to produce something different to my usual pieces Ilove making pieces that are based on peoples ideas of what theywant that is really special but the Greenman necklace was mydesign based on what the customer wanted it to represent I had toteach myself etching for the piece as its something Id never learntand Im really pleased with how it worked out
Other than crafting what else do you like to do
I love spending time with my children and family I love baking andcooking too and I suppose I should admit to enjoying the oddrelaxing glass (or bottle) of nice wine when the children are in bed
wwwlittlefairycultcouk
Where would you like to be in 5 years
In 5 years time Id love to be in a better financial position so I canbuy silver and make silver jewellery to sell that isnt just Custom-made Ive started sneaking a few pieces of precious metal jewellerythat are for general sale onto my site
Where does your inspiration come from
My inspiration is usually from the customers themselves They tell mewhat it is they want and I design a piece to reflect that Sometimes theyalter the design slightly to reflect more of how they want it and that isfine For my bead jewellery its usually what beads I have in myworkroom that inspire my beaded pieces I very rarely buy beads for thereason that I have a design idea and usually just buy mixed lots of beadsand work with what I have
What are your favourite materials and why
I really love working with precious metals There is somethinguniquely satisfying about taking a flat sheet of metal and turning itinto a beautiful piece of jewellery Thats why I take pictures of thepieces as I am making them so that other people and the customerwhos item it is can enjoy seeing it progress from a blank piece ofprecious metal into the finished piece
What is favourite shop online that isnrsquot yours and why
Oh my There are so many amazing websites offering beautiful andunique handmade items but I will always take a look at Etsy to see ifthere is anything that catches my eye on there They have such a largevariety of designerssellers making almost everything but the kitchen sink(though I bet if you looked hard enough youd find one on there) Ireally enjoy the little treasuries they do too where you can browse aselection of items that are grouped together by themes
Has any person helped or supported you more than any other
I have had a lot of support from the good friends I have gained on Twitter and of coursemy real life friends have been extremely supportive too but the main reason I actuallysorted out my workroom (or corner of the utility room) was due to my husband insistingthat I start making jewellery again Luckily his insistence and support paid off virtuallystraight away when a friend asked for the octopus necklace I mentioned earlier to bemade
Tell us a random fact about yourself
I have known the sex of each child and whether Id be carrying one or more before I evenconceived them Fairly random but fact nevertheless
Kit includes seed beads 5 x handmade glass beads choker wire x 3 banglewire x 2 ring wire x 3 jewellery pliers beading mat instructions
Makes 8 fabulous and individual pieces of jewellery without the need forfiddly findings books or other money-wasters
Beaded Jewellery Kitpound12Japan Crafts
A coordinating selection of beads plus step-by-step full colour instructions to make your own version of the Jungle Collar design Learn how to work peyote stitch edge it with drops and embellish it with a lush fringe and beaded flowers and leaves Let your beading imagination run wild
Each kit is hand-picked and slightly different so the beads you receive may not be the exact onesshown in the photograph but you can be certain that your necklace will be uniqueThe kit comes carefully packaged in a handy reusable storage box the only things yoursquoll need inaddition are a beading needle a spool of nylon beading thread and some sharp scissors
Beadweaving Kit for Jungle Collar
pound38Lynn Davy
Fairy Earrings Jewellery Making Kit - Ages 7yrs+
pound5Jewellery Making Kits
These single kits are fabulous for all crafty and creative girls They also make great presents for school friends nieces sisters or even grown ups Each kit includes Sterling Silver earwires or studs a small selection of flowers for the skirt a pair of wings a few coloured glass pearls for the heads silver headpin Organza Bag Full set of instructionsSuitable for ages 7 years and up Requires a pair of pliers to finish off - all instructions included
Bracelet Kit - Chunky Swarovski Pearl and Crystal with Toggle Clasp
pound750Wonderstuff Craft Kits
A little kit of bronze Swarovski pearls and Golden Shadow Swarovski crystals silk and toggle clasp
Kit includes 11 x Swarovski 12mm Pearls Colour - Soft Bronze 3 x Swarovski Crystal 8mm Rondelles - Colour - Golden Shadow 8 x Swarovski Crystal 4mmBicones Colour - Light Colorado Topaz 1 x Silver Plated Toggle Bar 1 x Silver plated Toggle RingBracelet length of threading silk Instructions
This kit contains top quality beads to make an exquisite braceletno special tools are needed
Jewellery making kits
from the small crafterWersquove found a selection of wonderful beading kits for allages and experience These are not massed producedsets but offered by the small crafter
This article was created by The Crystal Lady httpwwwmysticearthcouk
This Months
This months lsquoMan of the Monthrsquo is Ade (Adrian)EdmondsonChosen by MegampMillie
This months lsquoLady of the Monthrsquo is GwenStefaniChosen by Claire Pearcy from Elderberry Arts
httpwwwgwenstefanicom
httpwwwunrealitytvcouklets-dance-for-comic-relieflets-dance-for-comic-relief-results-ade-edmondson-and-eighties-super-group-make-next-weeks-final
(Nothing like an April Fools)
This months lsquoBlog of the Month Awardrsquo goes to lsquoItrsquos All Fiddle Fartrsquo
httpitsallfiddlefartblogspotcom
This months lsquoShop of the Month Awardrsquo goes to lsquoJulias DriftwoodFurniturersquo
httpwwwfolksycomshopsseasandview123
ww
wc
reativ
e-cr
afting
co
mw
ww
cr
eative-c
on
nec
tion
snin
gc
om
CREATIVE CRAFTING
Our next issue will be available to read on
1st June 2010If you have missed any of our issues you
can find them to read on our websitewwwcreative-craftingcom
And also on our Social Network Creative Connectionswwwcreative-connectionsningcom
To advertise in Creative Crafting or to submit an article please contact Annaat thecrystalladycreative-craftingcom
AUGUSTSUMMER 2010
Issue 5
By Crafters for Crafters
Check out our
CraftersDirectory
CREATIVE CRAFTING
By Crafters for Crafters
Issue 3
ValentinesMothers Day 2010
HandcraftedWeddingSpecial
Valentine ampMothers Day
Projects
Have youbeen
featured
By Crafters for Crafters
Issue 3ValentinesMothers Day 2010
Handcrafted
Wedding
SpecialValentine amp
Mothers Day
ProjectsHave you
been
featured
By
EASTER 2010
Issue 4
FATHERS DAY 2010
Issue 4
By Crafters for Crafters
Ch
eck out our
Craft
ersDirectory
AUGUSTSUMMER 2
010
Issu
e 5
By Craf
ters fo
r Craf
ters
Chec
k out our
Crafters
Directory
CREATIVE
C
RAFTINGAU
TUM
N H
ALLO
WEE
N 201
0Is
sue
7
CREA
TIVE
CRAF
TIN
G
By Craf
ters f
or C
rafter
s
Chec
k
out our
Craft
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ersa
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All of our links andadverts are fullyclickable
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AUTUMN HALLOWEEN 2010
Issue 7CREATIVE CRAFTING
By Crafters for Crafters
Check out our
CraftersDirectory
Anniversary
Issue
CHRISTMAS 2010
Issue 8
By Crafters for Crafters
FATHERS DAY 2010
Issue 4
By Crafters for Crafters
Check out our
Crafters
Directory
EASTER 2010
Issue 4
By Crafters for Crafters
By Crafters for Crafters
VALENTINES 2011Issue 9
CREATIVE CRAFTING
Elderberrry Arts
Step 4 Place the right sides of the fleecetogether and pin along the length of thematerial Sew along this edge either by handor machine Knot ends and sewing inside thehem You can trim this hem to make it even andneater if needed
Step 5 Turn the hat right side out andarrange it so the seam is in the middleback From the bottom of your hatmeasure the crown length and place thefleece strip under the hat at this point
Step 6 Tie the ends of thestrip together and pull tightto gather hat
Step 7 Now cut the topsection of the hat into stripsapproximately 12 inch wide
Once youve cut all the wayround the strips can be trimmedto shorten them if required
You could also thread plastic ponybeads on some or all of the stripsknotting the bottom to secure them
Step 2 Cut out the rectangleof fleece Then cut a strip 12inches by 12 inch of fleecefrom the leftover material
Step 3 Pin a hem approx12 inch wide across theshorter length of fleece
Sew either by hand or machineKnot ends and sewing insidethe hem
Written by Elderberry Artshttpwwwelderberryartscouk
Rug Making Ragtag RugsWith
Looking for something fabulous to make using all your old T-shirts sweat shirts and other disusedgarments If so this could be the project for you
The craft of making rag rugs is very traditional and dates backto the mid eighteen hundreds itrsquos still very relevant today whatwith the importance of recycling the other great thing aboutit is that the design on the rug can pretty much be whateveryou want it to be - an image of your pet or your house anabstract or geometric design or something floral traditionalhellip itrsquos totally up to you and your imagination
The technique Irsquoll be using for this project is a method calledlsquohookingrsquo which is very simple and produces a soft and hardwearing pile Irsquove tried to keep everything simple and equipment to a minimum so that everyone canhave a go My favourite fabrics to use are the afore mentioned T-shirts and sweat shirts as they frayvery little but most textiles of a medium thickness can be used
MaterialsVirtually any material can be used in a rag rug some materials are easier to work with than othersThe best materials to use for hooking include T-shirts sweat shirts lightweight cottonssynthetics amplightweight woolsynthetic jumpers Fabrics such as heavy weight denim are not suitableFor this project Irsquove used plain fabrics but patterned fabrics can also be used
HookingStep 1 Working with the Hessian design side up poke the hook through the Hessian and grab thestrip of fabric underneath with the hook
Step 2 Pull the end of the strip of fabric up through the Hessian so that you leave a tail of at least1 cm sticking up
Step 3 Move the hook along about half a centimeter poke it back down through the Hessian andpull a loop of fabric up through to the top of the Hessian a loop height of about 1 cm is best thenjust repeat this technique filling in the required area when you reach the end of a fabric strip pullthe end up through the Hessian and trim it so itrsquos the same height as the loopsMake sure your loops are dense enough and you canrsquot see any of the Hessian backing There is noneed to physically fix the loops in place as they will stay put automatically due to the thickness ofThe fabric and the denseness of the loops
What you will needA piece of Hessian measuring 90 cm x 110 cmSelection of fabrics cut into strips measuring1 - 2 cm wide depending on the thickness ofthe fabric and avoid any seamsRug hookDressmakers pinsScissors
Large-eyed needleBall of woolMarker penYard stick metre ruler2 sheets of thin A4 card or a flattened cereal packetCompassPencil
Ragtag Rugs Rug Making Ragtag RugsWith
Step 1 Using the compass and pencildraw two circles measuring 185 cmacross on the sheets of card and cut theseout using the scissors
Step 2 Using the marker pen and metre rule draw a rectangle on the piece of Hessian measuring63 cm x 84 cm leaving a boarder of about 12 cm all the way around the rectangle Divide therectangle into four giving you central lines for the width and length of the rug Place the card spotson the Hessian in the appropriate places and draw around them using the marker pen for the halfand quarter spots fold one of the card templates accordingly and then draw around it Draw in yourdesigns within the spots
Step 3 Fold under the raw edges of the Hessian and stitch with arunning stitch using the large-eyed needle and wool this is to preventthe Hessian fraying selvedge edges can be left as they are
Step 4 Hook in the strips of fabrics filling in the spots first and then thebackground You can either use the design shown here or make up yourown spots and colour scheme
Step 5 When completed lay the rug face down on the floor and turn in a hem of about 6 cms tothe back of the rug and pin it all the way around fold and pin the corners as neatly as possibleSew the hem to the back of the rug with a running stitch using the large-eyed needle and woolVoila You have a rug
wwwfolksycomshopsragtagrugs
Written by Ragtag Rugs
SupplierFor an American Style Rug Hook costing about pound750 and also Hessian go to Fred Aldous CraftSupplies wwwfredaldouscouk
NoteSome people prefer to use a rug making frame which helps to keep the rugsquare but as the rug wersquore making here is fairly small and wersquore keepingthings simple Irsquove dispensed with this
The first item I sold online was on my Folksy shop(httpwwwfolksycomshopsLaurabyTheSea) and was a vintage ceramic andbead brooch the buyer was very pleased with it and gave me great feedback
Tell us about yourselfMy name is Laura and I live by the sea in the East of England Pakefield to be precise I live with my wonderful Brother who is a musician so we have a very creative household and in our bright conservatory I make ldquoLaura by The Seardquo jewellery (from necklaces brooches amp bracelets to ear rings and hair slides) using vintage ceramics I break vintage crockery hand sand it to ensure there are no sharp edges and make the shards into beautiful jewellery
When did your crafting begin and whyI began studying ceramics during my BA Hons degree in Fine Art at The University of Portsmouthwhich is where my obsession for vintage crockery began to grow Initially I began by making newplates and tea cups with vintage shards in but soon the beauty of the ceramic shards startedappealing to me which is when I had the idea of making jewellery out of them - and one day I justdid it and havenrsquot stopped since I just love how the cute patterns really stand out against the silverchain
What was the first item you made to sell online
What is your biggest crafting achievement and why
I think my biggest crafting achievement since starting Laura by The SeaJewellery has to be getting interviewed for the national ldquoMAKE Jewelleryrdquomagazine as their new ldquoIt accessoryrdquo designer I totally didnrsquot expect themto contact me via my Folksy store
Other than crafting what else do you like to do
In my spare time I like to paint I write I stronglybelieve it is the simple things in life that count I am a collectorof anything old with a story and pick up anything found on the seashore First morning sunshine trawling antique treasure troves walks on the sand with my pooch Sepia tones and seeing life through a lens makes me happy I do a photographyfashion blog(laurabytheseatumblrcom) and am a very sociable person These are a fewof my favourite things and yes that should include raindrops on roses andbrown paper packages tied up with string
Where would you like to be in 5 years
In 5 years time I would love to be able to do this on a full time basis tomake enough money to live I am aiming to have my jewellery sold in manyUK wide independent stores and hopefully a few abroad However theultimate dream is to have my jewellery featured in Vogue
The first item I sold online was on my Folksy shop(httpwwwfolksycomshopsLaurabyTheSea) and was a vintage ceramic andbead brooch the buyer was very pleased with it and gave me great feedback
Where does your inspiration come from
My inspiration comes from trawling antique and vintage shops photography (one of my current favphotographers is Elizabeth Sarah from America) and I am always inspired by other people When Iget talking with my friends about anything creative the juices start flowing and I get more designideas I am also inspired and work along with music (anything from RampB amp Hip-hop to Reggae andJazz I have an eclectic mix)
What are your favourite materials and why
Vintage ceramics because I adore the vintage floral prints on the crockeryand like the idea of being as eco-friendly as possible and like to only userecycled materials in my jewellery
What is favourite shop online that isnrsquot yours and why
My favourite online shop has to be Loglike a contemporary gift and home ware store with vintageelements The owner makes cute candlesticks from vintage plates and saucers that look amazing onmy coffee table (see httpwwwfolksycomshopsLoglike)
Has any person helped or supported you more than any other
I would have to say my parents and Brother Not just financially when Iwas a poor struggling student but they are supportive with everything Ido in life and I just couldnrsquot do without them My brother is more like abest friend
Tell us a random fact about yourself
I have 23 dresses in my wardrobe and have a vinyl collection of mostly 1980rsquos music (my guiltypleasure)
httpwwwfolksycomshopsLaurabyTheSea
Visit
Lauraat
in the GardenHi Irsquom Tina
Good to have you visit with me again in The GardenI think we will sit in the conservatory this morning the sun is juststreaming in it is so wonderful to feel the warmth after such a coldwinter I have the kettle on and some little iced biscuits butremember we must not over indulge me especially as I have notbeen working in the garden so much just sitting in doors munching
Well Spring is here at last and it does seem to be in a hurrythis year the crab apple is already in bud and also the fruittrees
I had my own little piece of garden and the plants therewere in my charge if I forgot to water them and theydied mother would say you have to be responsible givethem a little care and you will be rewarded with so muchbeauty and as I look around the garden today thebeauty just takes my breath awayI checked out the herbs after the winter and just look atthis monster itrsquos the parsley how great is this
Here is a photo of the willow catkins or lambs tails as mymother used to call them she was a country woman andknew every wild flower by their old country names sheloved all nature and her garden and was my inspirationfrom an early age
wwwtina-in-the-gardenblogspotcom
Also I think that this flower is really confused it is of coursean antirrhinum when I emptied the summer bedding fromthe tubs some were still fine so I planted them in thegarden and as you can see have been well rewarded Alsosome silver foliage plants which I cannot remember thename of and of course have lost thelabel they seem to think that it isalready summer
At the moment you can get into the bog it does not look half as mysterious as it does inthe summer you can even see the streamMy better half and I have one or two projects this summer well I have theideas and he makes them work howlucky am I So watch this space
Oh you have to leave well thank you again for coming be safe until your next visit withme in The Garden
Your green fingered friendTina
The bluebells are coming throughin the wood not long now beforethey flower they have to hurrybefore the trees get their leaves
Creative CraftingAdvertise with
wwwcreative-craftingcomadvertisehtml
A mouse herecould take customers
to your store
We care about yourcraft business
Prices startfrom
only pound2
There are a lot of different crafts to choose fromThis series of articles will discover some of the more unusual and also some
old world crafts that may have been almost forgotten
This article was created by
The Crystal Ladyhttpwwwmysticearthcouk
Sold by Amazon
Knitting with Dog Hairby Anne Montgomery
Contains easy step-by-step instructions for collecting cleaningstoring and spinning your dogs fur The book includes originalknitting patterns for the novice and the pro - from mittens toshawls to lace collars from your cats hair
How to Knit a Dog Hair Sweater
E-How
The brushed undercoat of a dog is called chiengora and can be used for knittingcrocheting or felting just like lambs wool or other yarn Dogs hair has been used forcenturies for weaving blankets and other coverings Dogs hair is much warmer thanwool Here is how to knit a sweater from dog hair
After the tutorial the writer goes on to leave a warning that dog hair is much warmerthan wool and an entire garment made of dog hair will be too hot to wear
I also found a very fascinating article about a lady called Laurie Moy on the Boulder DailyCamera website
Better a sweater from a dog you know and love than from a sheepyoull never meet
Warp and woof-woof Making clothes out of dog hair
Read more Boulder Daily Camera
This was discovered in an American newspaper by Creative Craftings Tinawe just had to tell you about it
I did some Googling about this and apparently there is quite alot about it I found a tutorial on the popular E-How site
Irsquom sure like me yoursquoll find this quite fascinatingIf any of our spinners out there fancy a go atcreating some yarn from their pooches we wouldlove to see some of the results It is also a greatidea for recycling all of that fluff that you areconstantly sweeping up off your sofa or yourcarpet There really is a use for most things afterall
Salt dough is so quick and easy (and therapeutic) to make endlessly adaptable a joy to sharewith the kids and has the advantage of being made from store-cupboard basics (although youcould make these projects in clay or fimo or even plasticine)The drawbacks are that it takes a while to cookpaintvarnish it will dissolve in wet or very dampconditions and will break if you drop it So allow yourself a couple of days to produce a finishedpiece and varnish thoroughly when decorated to protect against any damage
Making a Batch of Salt Dough
1 Mug of Table Salt2 Mugs of Plain FlourApprox 1 Mug of Tepid Water (Add final frac14 slowly)1 Tablespoon of Olive or Vegetable Oil (Optional)
Mix the flour and salt together in a bowlIf you are using oil (which helps to add elasticity but is optional and not necessary) add it to themug of water Add the water (with or without oil) to the salt and flour mixAdd most of the water stirring into the dry ingredients with a wooden spoon Add the last of thewater carefully as you will need more or less depending on humidity and the gradequality of theflourYou need to add enough to bind the ingredients without making it too sticky Empty onto a lightlyfloured surface and knead for at least ten minutes until the dough is smooth and slightly warm
A Few Tips for Modelling Salt DoughRoll out salt dough onto a lightly floured surface with a floured rolling pin or you could use abottle if you havent got a rolling pin Gently flattening salt dough with the heels of your hands willwork too but keep moving the dough to keep it even and turn it over to the fresh smooth sidejust before you begin cutting shapesKeep the thickness of your pieces under an inch much thicker than this and they wont hardenproperly in the middleUse a sharp knife to cut salt dough shapes but a blunt knife (or the back of a knife) is useful whenmarking lines onto the dough A scalpel or craft knife is best for cutting out intricate shapesUse pastry cutters plasticine moulds forks hair grips scrubbing brushes experiment withanything you have lying around the house
Cooking Salt DoughCook your salt dough pieces slowly in a very low oven The cooler and slower the better to preventdistortion in the cooking process These pieces were cooked at 140275 degrees or Gas Mark 1 forapproximately 2 hours but I often leave them all day in the oven at its lowest setting
Heartmade Gifts
Decorating Salt DoughYou can decorate your pieces before or after the cooking process Try adding food colouringherbs and spices tea or coffee to your dough as you knead it Or try painting your uncooked piecewith an egg wash for a lovely golden glowExperiment with various mediums on cooked pieces Gouache and acrylics work well but posterpaint is fine (if a little limited in colour variation) and you could try chalks felt tips or crayonsUse glue to add decorations including glitter sequins fabric bows tiny scraps of paper etcIts nice to leave the dough perfectly natural sometimes and sometimes a combination of naturaldough and painted areas works very wellVarnish thoroughly Any varnish will work I tend to use a spray varnish as a first coat to set thepaints then I add a few coats of a super store own brand wood varnish (If you need yourfinished piece to be especially waterproof try yacht varnish but be aware that it will tend tochange the colours making them yellowish)Use a small brush to get into all the nooks and crannies and allow each coat to dry thoroughlybefore applying the next one The more coats you apply the better protected your final pieceHowever unvarnished salt dough I have made for personal use (or the odd forgotten piece) hassurvived very well even in a slightly damp old house So dont let a lack of varnish deter you fromtrying salt dough But if you are creating a family heirloom four or five coats of a good varnish willensure it lasts for yearsTry these two Easter projects the ldquoEgg-stra Specialrdquo eggs are very quick and simple enough to dowith small children the primrose basket takes a while and is a little fiddly but well worth tryingand very easy to adapt by choosing your own flower or perhaps some other motif
~ Egg-stra Special Eggs ~
1 Form an egg shape from a small ball of dough by rolling in your hands and pressthis gently onto your baking tray(Its easier to build your salt dough pieces directly onto the tray you will use tocook them rather than try and move them while they are still uncooked I havebuilt my eggs onto the kitchen surface because it will be easier for you to see whatIm doing)
2 Roll out a piece of salt dough and use it to cover the bottom end of youregg like a blanket When you are happy with the position gently lift andrun a wet paintbrush between the two pieces to glue them together
3 Cut out an egg cup shape around your egg
4 Use a damp paintbrush to push the egg cup onto the eggand ensure it sticks
(A damp paintbrush also helps soften edges and blend any creases or cracks)
5 Uncurl an old metal paperclip and push into the dough to form a hangingloop You can use a piece of any wire I try and use paperclips or a piece of wire
coat-hanger as I like to recycle An alternative hanging method is to create a smallhole (or two holes for larger pieces) and thread a ribbon or piece of leather shoelacethrough the hole tying it to make a loop)
6 Cut out a small bow shape from a piece of flattened dough
7 Cut two ribbon ends from a rectangle of flattened dough
8 Use a wet paintbrush to layer the ribbon ends onto thetop of your egg
9 Attach the bow in position And add a small piece to the centre ofthe bow to finish
10 Cook
11 Decorate in whatever way takes your fancy hellip have fun
~ Primrose Basket ~
1 Cover a bowl in greaseproof paper and turn upside down onto your baking tray
2 Roll out some dough to approx 5mm thickness and cut into thin stripslong enough to cover your bowl
3 Lay four of these strips across the bottom ofyour bowl
4 Begin weaving four in the opposite direction by gently liftingalternate strips out of the way laying the cross strip and replacingthe lifted strips
5 Then add one strip to each side until you reach the edge of the bowl
6 Trim the edge with a knife or fold the stripsback to form a rough bowl lip You can indentsomething on the dough to secure anddecorate
7 Cook
8 Carefully remove the bowl and paper
9 Make primrose flowers and leaves and glue them to the rim with a wetpaintbrush replacing your bowl in the oven for a short whileLeaves ndash cut rough leaf shapes out of a piece of flatted dough and mark theveins and indent the edges with the back of a knifeFlowers ndash use a small heart cutter to cut 5 heart shapes and place on the rim with pointstogether indenting the centre with your fingertip and then marking with the end of a paintbrushPaint with whichever medium you prefer or have to hand I have used acrylics here leaving thebasket natural and painting the primrose leaves green and the flowers yellow adding someorange to the centres of the flowers while the yellow is still damp for a blurred effect
This article was written by Diannefrom Heartmade Gifts
Join Heartmade Gifts on Facebook
wwwheartmadegiftswordpresscom
Lilac Lace Heart LocketJewellery by Bina
Vintage Victorian StyledSweetheart Locket
Miss Bohemia
pound17
pound15
Emerald Bewitched
youmin
$40
The Bright Forest Locket
marisolspoon
$35
Cameral Locket
mydogandi
$2750
Creative CraftingFavourite
This article was created by
The Crystal Ladyhttpwwwmysticearthcouk
Lockets may sound very old fashioned but if you have a wander through thehandmade sites you will find a wealth of very modern and extremely beautifuldesigns Perfect for you to carry your loved ones with you wherever you go
Bee Joyful LocketThe Whimsical Wren
pound10
SteampunkWatch Mechanism
Locketedmdesigns
$85
Luscious LocketsLuscious Lockets
Who likes Chocolate CakeThis is a great recipe for Easter Mothers day or any other daylets admit it we all love chocolate
Ingredients
7 oz self raising flour8 oz caster sugar1 teaspoon of salt2 tablespoons of cocoa powder4 oz margarine2 eggs beaten with5 tablespoons evaporated milk5 tablespoons water1 teaspoon vanilla essence
1 Sift together flour sugar and salt and cocoa2 Rub in margarine3 Stir in eggs essence and liquids then beat well4 Grease and flour 2 8 inch cake tins divide the mixture between them5 Bake in a moderate over 325-350 F gas mark 3 about 35 minutes6 When cold sandwich together and cover in milk chocolate icing
Milk chocolate Icing
Ingredients
2 and a half oz margarine or butter4 tablespoons cocoa8 oz sieved icing sugar3 tablespoons hot milk1 teaspoon vanilla essence
Melt the margarine or butter and blend incocoa powder then stir in icing sugar milkand vanilla essence Beat until smooth andthick
We hope you all enjoy the recipe we would love to see anypictures of chocolate cakes that you make
Instructions
Instructions
Written and reviewed by Peggyrsquos Knitshttppeggyscollectionwebscom
By Sprinkles Sparkleshttpwwwsprinklessparklescouk
All prices are correct at the time of publication
Budget amp LuxurySpring special
Woodland DaffodilsCharm Bracelet
Coco Angel Rosepound1600
Spring Flower Hair ClipFlutter2me
pound450
Spring flowers broochDi Does Craft
pound800
Pink Spring Clutchfunky diva designs
pound1750
Cupcake BuntingCotton Cottage
pound1650
Purple TulipsWildrose Ridge
pound350
Chickadees and LilacsStained Glass WindowStained Glass Addie
pound4940
The Charlotte - SageRosalind Jamespound14500
Springtime 16 Crayon RollApple n Amos
pound509
Buttercup earrings in softyellow with peridot and brass
Goblins Marketpound401
Springtime DalaFolk Horse HangingDecoration - YellowCourt and Spark
pound400
D A P H N E - BrokenChina Plate Pendant
and Sterling Silver NecklaceDesigns by Mila
pound2228
To make the leaves
Using DK yarn and 300 mm hook make 5 leaves as follows
Rnd 1 9ch dc in 2nd ch 1htr in next ch 1tr in each of next 6ch 3ch ss in base of last tr worked
Now work on opposite side of stitches by turning the work
Rnd 2 3ch 1tr in each of next 6ch 1htr in next ch dc ss in top of first stFasten off and sew in loose ends
Materials
Small quantity of DK yarn I have used a yarn with awool-mix but any DK yarn of your choice will be suitableSmall quantity of kid mohair yarn (use two strands together)300 mm hook200 mm hookOne large buttonBrooch pinSewing needle
To make the small rose
Using a 200 mm hook and working two strands of kid mohair yarn together 13ch
Rnd 1 1tr 2ch 1tr in 4th ch (skip 2ch 1tr 2ch 1tr in next ch) 3 times (4 v- spaces)
Rnd 2 3ch 6tr into next v-space 1dc into space between v-spaces Continue with 6tr into eachv-space and 1dc in between spaces until end ss into last ch Fasten off
Roll the work with fingers from start to finish to create a small rose flower and sew together at thebase
Assembling the brooch
Turn the flower so the right side is facing up and sew the button in the centre of the flowerAttach the rose to the centre of the button as shown in diagram Sew a brooch pin to the back of theflower to complete the brooch
Arrange the 5 leaves to form a circle so thecorners of the leaves are touching Sew eachcorner together to form the petals of aflower
Turn the work so the wrong side is facing upand close the hole by sewing together withthe same DK yarn used to make the leaves
Crochet Flower Brooch
ch - chain stitchdc - double crochethtr - half treble crochetss - slip stitchtr - treble crochetst - stitch
Crochet Mobile PhoneiPod Cosy
Materials
50g Dk yarn in mustard colourSmall quantity of DK yarn in bright pink for picot edgingof cosy and small roseSmall quantity of DK yarn in sage green for leaves of roseflowerSize 300mm hook
Instructions for the cosy
The cosy can be made to fit a mobile phoneiPod of your choice
Pattern note the pattern is worked in dc throughout and worked in the round using the tapestrycrochet method of crochet This involves carrying a second yarn below the first making it verystrong
Foundation row
Using one strand of DK yarn in mustard make a chain that measures the width of your mobilephoneipod
Rnd 1 dc across row until the last chain 2dc in last chain Turn work
Rnd 2 Begin to carry a second strand of mustard yarn throughouteach round and every round from now on This yarn is not worked butcarried below the first strand of yarn
Work along the opposite side of the row just worked 1dc in first ch1ch in each chain until the last chain 2dc in last chain Now mark thelast stitch just worked with a different colour yarn so you can see theend of the round and keep moving this marker up to the last stitchworked
Rnd 3 Dc in each chain around working in spirals moving the stitchmarker as the piece grows Continue until the work measures thedesired length to fit the mobileiPod Fasten off and tie in loose ends
ch - chain stitchdc - double crochethtr - half treble crochetss - slip stitchtr - treble crochetst - stitch
Instructions for rose flower
Rnd 1 Using DK yarn in bright pink 1tr 2ch 1tr in 4th ch (skip 2ch1tr 2ch 1tr in next ch) 3 times (4 v- spaces)
Rnd 2 3ch 6tr into next v-space 1dc into space between v-spacesContinue with 6tr into each v-space and 1dc in between spaces untilend ss into last ch Fasten off
Roll the work with fingers from start to finish to create a small rose flower and sew together at thebase
Instructions for leaves
Using DK yarn and 300mm hook make 2 leaves as follows
Rnd 1 5ch dc in 2nd ch 1htr in next ch 1tr in each of next 2ch 3ch ss in base of last tr workedNow work on opposite side of stitches by turning the work
Rnd 2 3ch 1tr in each of next 2 ch 1htr in next ch dc ss in top of first st Fasten off and sew inloose ends
Assembly
Sew the leaves to the reverse of the rose and attach to the cosy as shown in the picture
Picot edging
Rnd 1 Using DK yarn in bright pink dc into each stitch around the edge of the cosy opening ss tofirst dc
Rnd 2 3ch ss into 2nd chain from hook ss into base of 3ch dc into next 2ch 3ch continuefrom to ss into last ch Fasten off and sew in loose ends
Written by Andrea Lesley Crochethttpwwwfolksycomshopsandrealesleycrochet
Materials
T - shirt - colour your choiceScissorsChainSewing needle and threadCorsage or embellishments
Step 1 First get a plain whitet-shirt
Step 2 Then cut off the neck Step 3 Now sew two pieces of chain to each side of where theneckline should be
Step 4 Cut a triangle out ofthe bottom of the t-shirt
Step 5 Tie the two ends thatare left into a knot or bow
Step 6 Finally add a corsageor flower to the front
Step 7 Now you have a bang on trend crop top simply wear over a vest top I loved designing andgokking up this t-shirt it took minutes and didnt cost a lot either
Corsage made by Madam SalamihttpwwwetsycomshopMadamSalami
Written By Heidi Jackson
Favourite finds from around the crafting communityThis months focus is Easter and Spring
Click on the images to take you to their store
Online StreetMISI
Ring With A FlowerBlue Fish Handmade
pound800
Spring necklace in glassand sterling silver
RosieJo Jewellerypound1275
Easter Eggs CardNaomi Constable
pound250
FOLKSY
Easter rabbit cushionwith choccie eggs
Phoebelinas Treasurespound500
Easter Knitted BagsFluerette
pound300
Small Gorgeous FeltSpring Bouquets
Spare Minute Productionspound2000
WOW THANK YOU
Green And Brown PetalFlower Bracelet
Sprinkles Sparklespound3750 inc pampp
Handmade Pink Canvas Wall Art(Set of 3)
Craft on Canvaspound3900 inc pampp
Blue Easter ChickDharmapaintings
pound12 20 inc pampp
All prices correct at the time of publication
Favourite finds from around the crafting communityThis months focus is Easter and Spring
Click on the images to take you to their store
Best PicksUGLY BE GONE
Handpainted DottyDolly Pegs
Ticketty Boopound650
Quirky Motifs ShopperRachael Taylor
pound1500
Collette the Cow BibBaby Boutique
pound1100
The Cutie Pie - recycledpaper butterfly shadow boxThe WingSpan Collection
pound6421
Easter 1 Square PendantHappy Easter Spring Flowers
Miss Gooseberry Pendantspound321
ETSY
RETROEasterplastic springfling daisy clip-on earringsamber brown makes art
pound208ARTFIRE
Easter Egg Mini Cards 2x2 6Peculiar Parchment
pound170
Spring Chicks - Little FusedGlass Dish - Easter Gift
First Light Glasspound926
4 Chocolate Easter ParadeBunny Lollipops extra large
Candy Cottagepound741
All prices correct at the time of publication
What you will need3 x 10 inch lengths of purple Cylon cord10mm silver plated lobster clasp and clasp tag2 x silver plated fold over necklace endsApprox 24 Rose Quartz gemstone chip beads(holes need to be large enough to thread onelength of the cylon cord though)2 x 4mm silver plated jump rings
Rose Quartz is the stone of unconditionalloveIt purifies and opens the heart helping thewearer to love themselves as well as others
Rose Quartz draws off negative energy andhelps release unexpressed emotions
Encourages self forgiveness and acceptanceaids self trust and self worth
I find it easier to use a macrame board for making this type of bracelet as it make it easier tokeep the design neat but its not essential I use a simple board made from a cork notice boardand pins I also use nylon nosed pliers to fold over the necklace ends as I find metal pliers oftenleave marks but again they arent essential
Step 2 Thread a chip bead onto each of the outer lengths ofcord
Step 3 Cross the outer cordsover the middle one as youwould in a braid Then braid thecords again
Step 1 Attach one of thenecklace ends to one end ofthe three lengths of CyloncordYou can then use the hole inthe end to attach the braceletto your board
Make a Rose Quartz Bracelet
Step 6 Attach the secondnecklace end to the three cordwithout cutting them as it makesit easier The ends can then betrimmed with a craft knife orsharp scissors
Step 7 Using the jump ringsattach the clasp to one end ofthe bracelet and the clasp tagto the other
Step 4 Thread two chip beadson to the new outer lengths ofcord and braid as in the previousstep
Step 5 Repeat step three and four untilthe bracelet reaches seven inchesor your desired length
(The clasp section will measureapproximately one inch)
If the cord ends become frayed they canbe fixed with a little super glue
Step 8 And there you areOne finished rose quartzbracelet
Would you like to share a craft project with Creative Crafting
Let us know what project you would like toshare with us
Anything from jewellery knitting and crochetcrafts paper crafts or a craft you feel hasbeen forgotten about
Email thecrystalladycreative-craftingcom
Written by Elderberry Artshttpwwwelderberryartscouk
To those who are not yet aware Prince William and Kate Middleton will tie the knot this month onFriday 29th April in a quiet little ceremony at Westminster Abbey To some this may mean getting aday off to celebrate the nuptials or actually attend the whole affair To others like myself who areself-employed there will be no day off and hence little difference from a normal day but we can stillbe happy for the two love birds entering a state of marital bliss for the first timeIn these uncertain economic times I am not sure how the Royal Wedding will affect the economyhow much money will people want to spend Will this mean street parties like those that dominatemany peoplersquos memories from Prince Charles and Dianarsquos wedding back in 1981 Will there be arush to purchase ridiculously crass lsquosouvenirrsquo mugs plates tea towels or will the market just not bethere at all with all the unsold Royal Wedding goods in the pound shops by JuneThe handmade and crafting sector needs to be aware of the sales potential created by this Royalevent and so products should be made available to support the celebrations and possibly make thecountry feel good about itself again Maybe a lovely warm spring day in April will be good for thecountry and make it forget its economic woes for a few hoursWe asked a number of our sellers about their experience of the last big Royal Wedding (Charles andDiana) and what they are going to do this time to celebrate There were mixed feelings ndash manywere too young to remember much about the 1981 event and even though I remember a day offfrom school I cannot remember any street parties or spontaneous Mardi Gras This time around Ithink money will be a big factor and most people will not stray too far from a bit of home baking inred white and blue and also a show of patriotic bunting Union Jacks are quite the lsquoin thingrsquo at themoment for interior design and so a patriotic statement may double as being hip and trendy
Kim Lampard of Zigzag Bunting thinks a great way tocelebrate the Royal Wedding is to make your own buntingShe suggests pulling together a pile of fabrics that you nolonger need but that hold cherished memories for you forexample your daughterrsquos first cute dress a tea-towel youbought on a special holiday an old bedspread made by your
Granny Even if the items are damaged so cannot be passed on to others there is always a littlecorner that can be cut up into a triangle to make a bunting flag Mix a few of these together and ifyou have enough for a colour scheme (such as red white and blue) fine but donrsquot worry the flagsdonrsquot even need to be the same size Sometimes a shabby chic lsquoMix and Matchrsquo approach turns outto be perfect Sew the fabric triangles onto a piece of ribbon or bias tape and you will have awonderful string of bunting to decorate for the special day You and your family will remember notonly the Royal Wedding when you bring out that bunting but have extra glimpses of their past inthe fabrics Definitely a memento to cherish
Gaye Weekes of A amp V Designs now lives in Snowdonia North Wales and onlyan hour away from Anglesey where the Royal couple will begin their marriedlife She has no doubt had that His Highness has been hovering over theirremote valley in his helicopter over recent months Gaye plans to be flying redwhite and green Welsh bunting for the wedding Her bunting is made fromvintage fabric from the 1950s and 1960s - a cotton heavy woven greenand cream floral and a jolly red and white gingham She adds ldquo
rdquo
This article was written by
from
httpwwwwowthankyoucouk
Karine Ait-Mohamed of The Pink Fairy Cake isFrench but now lives in England She says ldquo
rdquo In the spirit of the occasion Karinehas produced a product that combines both England and France into the celebration Shehas produced sets of two Union Jack hearts filled with lavender from Chateau la Gabelle inHaute-Provence
Lisa MacDonald of LisaMollyMacDonaldis quite enthusiastic about the weddingand getting caught up in the glamour of the
occasion ldquo
rdquo
Lou Carswell of Loubie Jewels has some prettyfantastic red white and blue jewellery which wouldbe suitable for a Royal wedding celebration She told
us ldquo
rdquo
So what can we gather from these observations It will be a nice idea to celebrate the RoyalWedding If we apply a little lsquowartimersquo austerity (handmade lends itself to recycling andupcycling) we shouldnrsquot have to spend a fortune We can step back from commercialism andbe involved in a low key but meaningful way that will make the event more memorable for itssimplicity and just a little thrift God Bless William and Kate
Tell us about yourself
My name is Sandra Ritchie I live in Cleethorpes UK with my husbandJason my 10 year old daughter Alisha my 2 year old son Alfred andour dog Dumbledore Primarily I am a housewife but in my sparetime I make jewellery of all kinds from beaded pieces to metal workbut mainly I make custom-made bespoke precious metal jewellery
When did your crafting begin and why
Many years ago I studied Jewellery and Metal Art at college andover time Ive collected the tools I needed but never got round tosetting up a workroom until 2009 when my Husband pointed outthat our Utility Room would be perfect for me to set up as aworkroom to start making jewellery again It seemed ideal Ialready had people interested in me making them some jewelleryand it meant I could stay at home and look after the children as wellas try to establish a name for myself as a Jewellery designermaker
What was the first item you made to sell online
The first item I made to sell whilst not specifically to sell online was asilver octopus necklace commissioned by an acquaintance of mine thathad seen the silver octopus necklace that I made for myself whilst atcollege and wanted one like it She has since purchased the silver andcopper entwined Dragon necklace and a commissioned silver Dragonand is back on my list for another piece to be made My number onefan I think
What is your biggest crafting achievement and why
I love all the pieces Ive created especially my Custom work but myfavourite piece of all is the Greenman necklace I was approached tomake something as a surprise for someone and was basically giventhe opportunity to produce something different to my usual pieces Ilove making pieces that are based on peoples ideas of what theywant that is really special but the Greenman necklace was mydesign based on what the customer wanted it to represent I had toteach myself etching for the piece as its something Id never learntand Im really pleased with how it worked out
Other than crafting what else do you like to do
I love spending time with my children and family I love baking andcooking too and I suppose I should admit to enjoying the oddrelaxing glass (or bottle) of nice wine when the children are in bed
wwwlittlefairycultcouk
Where would you like to be in 5 years
In 5 years time Id love to be in a better financial position so I canbuy silver and make silver jewellery to sell that isnt just Custom-made Ive started sneaking a few pieces of precious metal jewellerythat are for general sale onto my site
Where does your inspiration come from
My inspiration is usually from the customers themselves They tell mewhat it is they want and I design a piece to reflect that Sometimes theyalter the design slightly to reflect more of how they want it and that isfine For my bead jewellery its usually what beads I have in myworkroom that inspire my beaded pieces I very rarely buy beads for thereason that I have a design idea and usually just buy mixed lots of beadsand work with what I have
What are your favourite materials and why
I really love working with precious metals There is somethinguniquely satisfying about taking a flat sheet of metal and turning itinto a beautiful piece of jewellery Thats why I take pictures of thepieces as I am making them so that other people and the customerwhos item it is can enjoy seeing it progress from a blank piece ofprecious metal into the finished piece
What is favourite shop online that isnrsquot yours and why
Oh my There are so many amazing websites offering beautiful andunique handmade items but I will always take a look at Etsy to see ifthere is anything that catches my eye on there They have such a largevariety of designerssellers making almost everything but the kitchen sink(though I bet if you looked hard enough youd find one on there) Ireally enjoy the little treasuries they do too where you can browse aselection of items that are grouped together by themes
Has any person helped or supported you more than any other
I have had a lot of support from the good friends I have gained on Twitter and of coursemy real life friends have been extremely supportive too but the main reason I actuallysorted out my workroom (or corner of the utility room) was due to my husband insistingthat I start making jewellery again Luckily his insistence and support paid off virtuallystraight away when a friend asked for the octopus necklace I mentioned earlier to bemade
Tell us a random fact about yourself
I have known the sex of each child and whether Id be carrying one or more before I evenconceived them Fairly random but fact nevertheless
Kit includes seed beads 5 x handmade glass beads choker wire x 3 banglewire x 2 ring wire x 3 jewellery pliers beading mat instructions
Makes 8 fabulous and individual pieces of jewellery without the need forfiddly findings books or other money-wasters
Beaded Jewellery Kitpound12Japan Crafts
A coordinating selection of beads plus step-by-step full colour instructions to make your own version of the Jungle Collar design Learn how to work peyote stitch edge it with drops and embellish it with a lush fringe and beaded flowers and leaves Let your beading imagination run wild
Each kit is hand-picked and slightly different so the beads you receive may not be the exact onesshown in the photograph but you can be certain that your necklace will be uniqueThe kit comes carefully packaged in a handy reusable storage box the only things yoursquoll need inaddition are a beading needle a spool of nylon beading thread and some sharp scissors
Beadweaving Kit for Jungle Collar
pound38Lynn Davy
Fairy Earrings Jewellery Making Kit - Ages 7yrs+
pound5Jewellery Making Kits
These single kits are fabulous for all crafty and creative girls They also make great presents for school friends nieces sisters or even grown ups Each kit includes Sterling Silver earwires or studs a small selection of flowers for the skirt a pair of wings a few coloured glass pearls for the heads silver headpin Organza Bag Full set of instructionsSuitable for ages 7 years and up Requires a pair of pliers to finish off - all instructions included
Bracelet Kit - Chunky Swarovski Pearl and Crystal with Toggle Clasp
pound750Wonderstuff Craft Kits
A little kit of bronze Swarovski pearls and Golden Shadow Swarovski crystals silk and toggle clasp
Kit includes 11 x Swarovski 12mm Pearls Colour - Soft Bronze 3 x Swarovski Crystal 8mm Rondelles - Colour - Golden Shadow 8 x Swarovski Crystal 4mmBicones Colour - Light Colorado Topaz 1 x Silver Plated Toggle Bar 1 x Silver plated Toggle RingBracelet length of threading silk Instructions
This kit contains top quality beads to make an exquisite braceletno special tools are needed
Jewellery making kits
from the small crafterWersquove found a selection of wonderful beading kits for allages and experience These are not massed producedsets but offered by the small crafter
This article was created by The Crystal Lady httpwwwmysticearthcouk
This Months
This months lsquoMan of the Monthrsquo is Ade (Adrian)EdmondsonChosen by MegampMillie
This months lsquoLady of the Monthrsquo is GwenStefaniChosen by Claire Pearcy from Elderberry Arts
httpwwwgwenstefanicom
httpwwwunrealitytvcouklets-dance-for-comic-relieflets-dance-for-comic-relief-results-ade-edmondson-and-eighties-super-group-make-next-weeks-final
(Nothing like an April Fools)
This months lsquoBlog of the Month Awardrsquo goes to lsquoItrsquos All Fiddle Fartrsquo
httpitsallfiddlefartblogspotcom
This months lsquoShop of the Month Awardrsquo goes to lsquoJulias DriftwoodFurniturersquo
httpwwwfolksycomshopsseasandview123
ww
wc
reativ
e-cr
afting
co
mw
ww
cr
eative-c
on
nec
tion
snin
gc
om
CREATIVE CRAFTING
Our next issue will be available to read on
1st June 2010If you have missed any of our issues you
can find them to read on our websitewwwcreative-craftingcom
And also on our Social Network Creative Connectionswwwcreative-connectionsningcom
To advertise in Creative Crafting or to submit an article please contact Annaat thecrystalladycreative-craftingcom
AUGUSTSUMMER 2010
Issue 5
By Crafters for Crafters
Check out our
CraftersDirectory
CREATIVE CRAFTING
By Crafters for Crafters
Issue 3
ValentinesMothers Day 2010
HandcraftedWeddingSpecial
Valentine ampMothers Day
Projects
Have youbeen
featured
By Crafters for Crafters
Issue 3ValentinesMothers Day 2010
Handcrafted
Wedding
SpecialValentine amp
Mothers Day
ProjectsHave you
been
featured
By
EASTER 2010
Issue 4
FATHERS DAY 2010
Issue 4
By Crafters for Crafters
Ch
eck out our
Craft
ersDirectory
AUGUSTSUMMER 2
010
Issu
e 5
By Craf
ters fo
r Craf
ters
Chec
k out our
Crafters
Directory
CREATIVE
C
RAFTINGAU
TUM
N H
ALLO
WEE
N 201
0Is
sue
7
CREA
TIVE
CRAF
TIN
G
By Craf
ters f
or C
rafter
s
Chec
k
out our
Craft
ersDirect
ory
An
niv
ersa
ry
Issu
e
Donrsquot forget
All of our links andadverts are fullyclickable
If you would like to embed our magazine into your website blog myspace page etc you can
customise the code to suit your style and size
AUTUMN HALLOWEEN 2010
Issue 7CREATIVE CRAFTING
By Crafters for Crafters
Check out our
CraftersDirectory
Anniversary
Issue
CHRISTMAS 2010
Issue 8
By Crafters for Crafters
FATHERS DAY 2010
Issue 4
By Crafters for Crafters
Check out our
Crafters
Directory
EASTER 2010
Issue 4
By Crafters for Crafters
By Crafters for Crafters
VALENTINES 2011Issue 9
CREATIVE CRAFTING
Rug Making Ragtag RugsWith
Looking for something fabulous to make using all your old T-shirts sweat shirts and other disusedgarments If so this could be the project for you
The craft of making rag rugs is very traditional and dates backto the mid eighteen hundreds itrsquos still very relevant today whatwith the importance of recycling the other great thing aboutit is that the design on the rug can pretty much be whateveryou want it to be - an image of your pet or your house anabstract or geometric design or something floral traditionalhellip itrsquos totally up to you and your imagination
The technique Irsquoll be using for this project is a method calledlsquohookingrsquo which is very simple and produces a soft and hardwearing pile Irsquove tried to keep everything simple and equipment to a minimum so that everyone canhave a go My favourite fabrics to use are the afore mentioned T-shirts and sweat shirts as they frayvery little but most textiles of a medium thickness can be used
MaterialsVirtually any material can be used in a rag rug some materials are easier to work with than othersThe best materials to use for hooking include T-shirts sweat shirts lightweight cottonssynthetics amplightweight woolsynthetic jumpers Fabrics such as heavy weight denim are not suitableFor this project Irsquove used plain fabrics but patterned fabrics can also be used
HookingStep 1 Working with the Hessian design side up poke the hook through the Hessian and grab thestrip of fabric underneath with the hook
Step 2 Pull the end of the strip of fabric up through the Hessian so that you leave a tail of at least1 cm sticking up
Step 3 Move the hook along about half a centimeter poke it back down through the Hessian andpull a loop of fabric up through to the top of the Hessian a loop height of about 1 cm is best thenjust repeat this technique filling in the required area when you reach the end of a fabric strip pullthe end up through the Hessian and trim it so itrsquos the same height as the loopsMake sure your loops are dense enough and you canrsquot see any of the Hessian backing There is noneed to physically fix the loops in place as they will stay put automatically due to the thickness ofThe fabric and the denseness of the loops
What you will needA piece of Hessian measuring 90 cm x 110 cmSelection of fabrics cut into strips measuring1 - 2 cm wide depending on the thickness ofthe fabric and avoid any seamsRug hookDressmakers pinsScissors
Large-eyed needleBall of woolMarker penYard stick metre ruler2 sheets of thin A4 card or a flattened cereal packetCompassPencil
Ragtag Rugs Rug Making Ragtag RugsWith
Step 1 Using the compass and pencildraw two circles measuring 185 cmacross on the sheets of card and cut theseout using the scissors
Step 2 Using the marker pen and metre rule draw a rectangle on the piece of Hessian measuring63 cm x 84 cm leaving a boarder of about 12 cm all the way around the rectangle Divide therectangle into four giving you central lines for the width and length of the rug Place the card spotson the Hessian in the appropriate places and draw around them using the marker pen for the halfand quarter spots fold one of the card templates accordingly and then draw around it Draw in yourdesigns within the spots
Step 3 Fold under the raw edges of the Hessian and stitch with arunning stitch using the large-eyed needle and wool this is to preventthe Hessian fraying selvedge edges can be left as they are
Step 4 Hook in the strips of fabrics filling in the spots first and then thebackground You can either use the design shown here or make up yourown spots and colour scheme
Step 5 When completed lay the rug face down on the floor and turn in a hem of about 6 cms tothe back of the rug and pin it all the way around fold and pin the corners as neatly as possibleSew the hem to the back of the rug with a running stitch using the large-eyed needle and woolVoila You have a rug
wwwfolksycomshopsragtagrugs
Written by Ragtag Rugs
SupplierFor an American Style Rug Hook costing about pound750 and also Hessian go to Fred Aldous CraftSupplies wwwfredaldouscouk
NoteSome people prefer to use a rug making frame which helps to keep the rugsquare but as the rug wersquore making here is fairly small and wersquore keepingthings simple Irsquove dispensed with this
The first item I sold online was on my Folksy shop(httpwwwfolksycomshopsLaurabyTheSea) and was a vintage ceramic andbead brooch the buyer was very pleased with it and gave me great feedback
Tell us about yourselfMy name is Laura and I live by the sea in the East of England Pakefield to be precise I live with my wonderful Brother who is a musician so we have a very creative household and in our bright conservatory I make ldquoLaura by The Seardquo jewellery (from necklaces brooches amp bracelets to ear rings and hair slides) using vintage ceramics I break vintage crockery hand sand it to ensure there are no sharp edges and make the shards into beautiful jewellery
When did your crafting begin and whyI began studying ceramics during my BA Hons degree in Fine Art at The University of Portsmouthwhich is where my obsession for vintage crockery began to grow Initially I began by making newplates and tea cups with vintage shards in but soon the beauty of the ceramic shards startedappealing to me which is when I had the idea of making jewellery out of them - and one day I justdid it and havenrsquot stopped since I just love how the cute patterns really stand out against the silverchain
What was the first item you made to sell online
What is your biggest crafting achievement and why
I think my biggest crafting achievement since starting Laura by The SeaJewellery has to be getting interviewed for the national ldquoMAKE Jewelleryrdquomagazine as their new ldquoIt accessoryrdquo designer I totally didnrsquot expect themto contact me via my Folksy store
Other than crafting what else do you like to do
In my spare time I like to paint I write I stronglybelieve it is the simple things in life that count I am a collectorof anything old with a story and pick up anything found on the seashore First morning sunshine trawling antique treasure troves walks on the sand with my pooch Sepia tones and seeing life through a lens makes me happy I do a photographyfashion blog(laurabytheseatumblrcom) and am a very sociable person These are a fewof my favourite things and yes that should include raindrops on roses andbrown paper packages tied up with string
Where would you like to be in 5 years
In 5 years time I would love to be able to do this on a full time basis tomake enough money to live I am aiming to have my jewellery sold in manyUK wide independent stores and hopefully a few abroad However theultimate dream is to have my jewellery featured in Vogue
The first item I sold online was on my Folksy shop(httpwwwfolksycomshopsLaurabyTheSea) and was a vintage ceramic andbead brooch the buyer was very pleased with it and gave me great feedback
Where does your inspiration come from
My inspiration comes from trawling antique and vintage shops photography (one of my current favphotographers is Elizabeth Sarah from America) and I am always inspired by other people When Iget talking with my friends about anything creative the juices start flowing and I get more designideas I am also inspired and work along with music (anything from RampB amp Hip-hop to Reggae andJazz I have an eclectic mix)
What are your favourite materials and why
Vintage ceramics because I adore the vintage floral prints on the crockeryand like the idea of being as eco-friendly as possible and like to only userecycled materials in my jewellery
What is favourite shop online that isnrsquot yours and why
My favourite online shop has to be Loglike a contemporary gift and home ware store with vintageelements The owner makes cute candlesticks from vintage plates and saucers that look amazing onmy coffee table (see httpwwwfolksycomshopsLoglike)
Has any person helped or supported you more than any other
I would have to say my parents and Brother Not just financially when Iwas a poor struggling student but they are supportive with everything Ido in life and I just couldnrsquot do without them My brother is more like abest friend
Tell us a random fact about yourself
I have 23 dresses in my wardrobe and have a vinyl collection of mostly 1980rsquos music (my guiltypleasure)
httpwwwfolksycomshopsLaurabyTheSea
Visit
Lauraat
in the GardenHi Irsquom Tina
Good to have you visit with me again in The GardenI think we will sit in the conservatory this morning the sun is juststreaming in it is so wonderful to feel the warmth after such a coldwinter I have the kettle on and some little iced biscuits butremember we must not over indulge me especially as I have notbeen working in the garden so much just sitting in doors munching
Well Spring is here at last and it does seem to be in a hurrythis year the crab apple is already in bud and also the fruittrees
I had my own little piece of garden and the plants therewere in my charge if I forgot to water them and theydied mother would say you have to be responsible givethem a little care and you will be rewarded with so muchbeauty and as I look around the garden today thebeauty just takes my breath awayI checked out the herbs after the winter and just look atthis monster itrsquos the parsley how great is this
Here is a photo of the willow catkins or lambs tails as mymother used to call them she was a country woman andknew every wild flower by their old country names sheloved all nature and her garden and was my inspirationfrom an early age
wwwtina-in-the-gardenblogspotcom
Also I think that this flower is really confused it is of coursean antirrhinum when I emptied the summer bedding fromthe tubs some were still fine so I planted them in thegarden and as you can see have been well rewarded Alsosome silver foliage plants which I cannot remember thename of and of course have lost thelabel they seem to think that it isalready summer
At the moment you can get into the bog it does not look half as mysterious as it does inthe summer you can even see the streamMy better half and I have one or two projects this summer well I have theideas and he makes them work howlucky am I So watch this space
Oh you have to leave well thank you again for coming be safe until your next visit withme in The Garden
Your green fingered friendTina
The bluebells are coming throughin the wood not long now beforethey flower they have to hurrybefore the trees get their leaves
Creative CraftingAdvertise with
wwwcreative-craftingcomadvertisehtml
A mouse herecould take customers
to your store
We care about yourcraft business
Prices startfrom
only pound2
There are a lot of different crafts to choose fromThis series of articles will discover some of the more unusual and also some
old world crafts that may have been almost forgotten
This article was created by
The Crystal Ladyhttpwwwmysticearthcouk
Sold by Amazon
Knitting with Dog Hairby Anne Montgomery
Contains easy step-by-step instructions for collecting cleaningstoring and spinning your dogs fur The book includes originalknitting patterns for the novice and the pro - from mittens toshawls to lace collars from your cats hair
How to Knit a Dog Hair Sweater
E-How
The brushed undercoat of a dog is called chiengora and can be used for knittingcrocheting or felting just like lambs wool or other yarn Dogs hair has been used forcenturies for weaving blankets and other coverings Dogs hair is much warmer thanwool Here is how to knit a sweater from dog hair
After the tutorial the writer goes on to leave a warning that dog hair is much warmerthan wool and an entire garment made of dog hair will be too hot to wear
I also found a very fascinating article about a lady called Laurie Moy on the Boulder DailyCamera website
Better a sweater from a dog you know and love than from a sheepyoull never meet
Warp and woof-woof Making clothes out of dog hair
Read more Boulder Daily Camera
This was discovered in an American newspaper by Creative Craftings Tinawe just had to tell you about it
I did some Googling about this and apparently there is quite alot about it I found a tutorial on the popular E-How site
Irsquom sure like me yoursquoll find this quite fascinatingIf any of our spinners out there fancy a go atcreating some yarn from their pooches we wouldlove to see some of the results It is also a greatidea for recycling all of that fluff that you areconstantly sweeping up off your sofa or yourcarpet There really is a use for most things afterall
Salt dough is so quick and easy (and therapeutic) to make endlessly adaptable a joy to sharewith the kids and has the advantage of being made from store-cupboard basics (although youcould make these projects in clay or fimo or even plasticine)The drawbacks are that it takes a while to cookpaintvarnish it will dissolve in wet or very dampconditions and will break if you drop it So allow yourself a couple of days to produce a finishedpiece and varnish thoroughly when decorated to protect against any damage
Making a Batch of Salt Dough
1 Mug of Table Salt2 Mugs of Plain FlourApprox 1 Mug of Tepid Water (Add final frac14 slowly)1 Tablespoon of Olive or Vegetable Oil (Optional)
Mix the flour and salt together in a bowlIf you are using oil (which helps to add elasticity but is optional and not necessary) add it to themug of water Add the water (with or without oil) to the salt and flour mixAdd most of the water stirring into the dry ingredients with a wooden spoon Add the last of thewater carefully as you will need more or less depending on humidity and the gradequality of theflourYou need to add enough to bind the ingredients without making it too sticky Empty onto a lightlyfloured surface and knead for at least ten minutes until the dough is smooth and slightly warm
A Few Tips for Modelling Salt DoughRoll out salt dough onto a lightly floured surface with a floured rolling pin or you could use abottle if you havent got a rolling pin Gently flattening salt dough with the heels of your hands willwork too but keep moving the dough to keep it even and turn it over to the fresh smooth sidejust before you begin cutting shapesKeep the thickness of your pieces under an inch much thicker than this and they wont hardenproperly in the middleUse a sharp knife to cut salt dough shapes but a blunt knife (or the back of a knife) is useful whenmarking lines onto the dough A scalpel or craft knife is best for cutting out intricate shapesUse pastry cutters plasticine moulds forks hair grips scrubbing brushes experiment withanything you have lying around the house
Cooking Salt DoughCook your salt dough pieces slowly in a very low oven The cooler and slower the better to preventdistortion in the cooking process These pieces were cooked at 140275 degrees or Gas Mark 1 forapproximately 2 hours but I often leave them all day in the oven at its lowest setting
Heartmade Gifts
Decorating Salt DoughYou can decorate your pieces before or after the cooking process Try adding food colouringherbs and spices tea or coffee to your dough as you knead it Or try painting your uncooked piecewith an egg wash for a lovely golden glowExperiment with various mediums on cooked pieces Gouache and acrylics work well but posterpaint is fine (if a little limited in colour variation) and you could try chalks felt tips or crayonsUse glue to add decorations including glitter sequins fabric bows tiny scraps of paper etcIts nice to leave the dough perfectly natural sometimes and sometimes a combination of naturaldough and painted areas works very wellVarnish thoroughly Any varnish will work I tend to use a spray varnish as a first coat to set thepaints then I add a few coats of a super store own brand wood varnish (If you need yourfinished piece to be especially waterproof try yacht varnish but be aware that it will tend tochange the colours making them yellowish)Use a small brush to get into all the nooks and crannies and allow each coat to dry thoroughlybefore applying the next one The more coats you apply the better protected your final pieceHowever unvarnished salt dough I have made for personal use (or the odd forgotten piece) hassurvived very well even in a slightly damp old house So dont let a lack of varnish deter you fromtrying salt dough But if you are creating a family heirloom four or five coats of a good varnish willensure it lasts for yearsTry these two Easter projects the ldquoEgg-stra Specialrdquo eggs are very quick and simple enough to dowith small children the primrose basket takes a while and is a little fiddly but well worth tryingand very easy to adapt by choosing your own flower or perhaps some other motif
~ Egg-stra Special Eggs ~
1 Form an egg shape from a small ball of dough by rolling in your hands and pressthis gently onto your baking tray(Its easier to build your salt dough pieces directly onto the tray you will use tocook them rather than try and move them while they are still uncooked I havebuilt my eggs onto the kitchen surface because it will be easier for you to see whatIm doing)
2 Roll out a piece of salt dough and use it to cover the bottom end of youregg like a blanket When you are happy with the position gently lift andrun a wet paintbrush between the two pieces to glue them together
3 Cut out an egg cup shape around your egg
4 Use a damp paintbrush to push the egg cup onto the eggand ensure it sticks
(A damp paintbrush also helps soften edges and blend any creases or cracks)
5 Uncurl an old metal paperclip and push into the dough to form a hangingloop You can use a piece of any wire I try and use paperclips or a piece of wire
coat-hanger as I like to recycle An alternative hanging method is to create a smallhole (or two holes for larger pieces) and thread a ribbon or piece of leather shoelacethrough the hole tying it to make a loop)
6 Cut out a small bow shape from a piece of flattened dough
7 Cut two ribbon ends from a rectangle of flattened dough
8 Use a wet paintbrush to layer the ribbon ends onto thetop of your egg
9 Attach the bow in position And add a small piece to the centre ofthe bow to finish
10 Cook
11 Decorate in whatever way takes your fancy hellip have fun
~ Primrose Basket ~
1 Cover a bowl in greaseproof paper and turn upside down onto your baking tray
2 Roll out some dough to approx 5mm thickness and cut into thin stripslong enough to cover your bowl
3 Lay four of these strips across the bottom ofyour bowl
4 Begin weaving four in the opposite direction by gently liftingalternate strips out of the way laying the cross strip and replacingthe lifted strips
5 Then add one strip to each side until you reach the edge of the bowl
6 Trim the edge with a knife or fold the stripsback to form a rough bowl lip You can indentsomething on the dough to secure anddecorate
7 Cook
8 Carefully remove the bowl and paper
9 Make primrose flowers and leaves and glue them to the rim with a wetpaintbrush replacing your bowl in the oven for a short whileLeaves ndash cut rough leaf shapes out of a piece of flatted dough and mark theveins and indent the edges with the back of a knifeFlowers ndash use a small heart cutter to cut 5 heart shapes and place on the rim with pointstogether indenting the centre with your fingertip and then marking with the end of a paintbrushPaint with whichever medium you prefer or have to hand I have used acrylics here leaving thebasket natural and painting the primrose leaves green and the flowers yellow adding someorange to the centres of the flowers while the yellow is still damp for a blurred effect
This article was written by Diannefrom Heartmade Gifts
Join Heartmade Gifts on Facebook
wwwheartmadegiftswordpresscom
Lilac Lace Heart LocketJewellery by Bina
Vintage Victorian StyledSweetheart Locket
Miss Bohemia
pound17
pound15
Emerald Bewitched
youmin
$40
The Bright Forest Locket
marisolspoon
$35
Cameral Locket
mydogandi
$2750
Creative CraftingFavourite
This article was created by
The Crystal Ladyhttpwwwmysticearthcouk
Lockets may sound very old fashioned but if you have a wander through thehandmade sites you will find a wealth of very modern and extremely beautifuldesigns Perfect for you to carry your loved ones with you wherever you go
Bee Joyful LocketThe Whimsical Wren
pound10
SteampunkWatch Mechanism
Locketedmdesigns
$85
Luscious LocketsLuscious Lockets
Who likes Chocolate CakeThis is a great recipe for Easter Mothers day or any other daylets admit it we all love chocolate
Ingredients
7 oz self raising flour8 oz caster sugar1 teaspoon of salt2 tablespoons of cocoa powder4 oz margarine2 eggs beaten with5 tablespoons evaporated milk5 tablespoons water1 teaspoon vanilla essence
1 Sift together flour sugar and salt and cocoa2 Rub in margarine3 Stir in eggs essence and liquids then beat well4 Grease and flour 2 8 inch cake tins divide the mixture between them5 Bake in a moderate over 325-350 F gas mark 3 about 35 minutes6 When cold sandwich together and cover in milk chocolate icing
Milk chocolate Icing
Ingredients
2 and a half oz margarine or butter4 tablespoons cocoa8 oz sieved icing sugar3 tablespoons hot milk1 teaspoon vanilla essence
Melt the margarine or butter and blend incocoa powder then stir in icing sugar milkand vanilla essence Beat until smooth andthick
We hope you all enjoy the recipe we would love to see anypictures of chocolate cakes that you make
Instructions
Instructions
Written and reviewed by Peggyrsquos Knitshttppeggyscollectionwebscom
By Sprinkles Sparkleshttpwwwsprinklessparklescouk
All prices are correct at the time of publication
Budget amp LuxurySpring special
Woodland DaffodilsCharm Bracelet
Coco Angel Rosepound1600
Spring Flower Hair ClipFlutter2me
pound450
Spring flowers broochDi Does Craft
pound800
Pink Spring Clutchfunky diva designs
pound1750
Cupcake BuntingCotton Cottage
pound1650
Purple TulipsWildrose Ridge
pound350
Chickadees and LilacsStained Glass WindowStained Glass Addie
pound4940
The Charlotte - SageRosalind Jamespound14500
Springtime 16 Crayon RollApple n Amos
pound509
Buttercup earrings in softyellow with peridot and brass
Goblins Marketpound401
Springtime DalaFolk Horse HangingDecoration - YellowCourt and Spark
pound400
D A P H N E - BrokenChina Plate Pendant
and Sterling Silver NecklaceDesigns by Mila
pound2228
To make the leaves
Using DK yarn and 300 mm hook make 5 leaves as follows
Rnd 1 9ch dc in 2nd ch 1htr in next ch 1tr in each of next 6ch 3ch ss in base of last tr worked
Now work on opposite side of stitches by turning the work
Rnd 2 3ch 1tr in each of next 6ch 1htr in next ch dc ss in top of first stFasten off and sew in loose ends
Materials
Small quantity of DK yarn I have used a yarn with awool-mix but any DK yarn of your choice will be suitableSmall quantity of kid mohair yarn (use two strands together)300 mm hook200 mm hookOne large buttonBrooch pinSewing needle
To make the small rose
Using a 200 mm hook and working two strands of kid mohair yarn together 13ch
Rnd 1 1tr 2ch 1tr in 4th ch (skip 2ch 1tr 2ch 1tr in next ch) 3 times (4 v- spaces)
Rnd 2 3ch 6tr into next v-space 1dc into space between v-spaces Continue with 6tr into eachv-space and 1dc in between spaces until end ss into last ch Fasten off
Roll the work with fingers from start to finish to create a small rose flower and sew together at thebase
Assembling the brooch
Turn the flower so the right side is facing up and sew the button in the centre of the flowerAttach the rose to the centre of the button as shown in diagram Sew a brooch pin to the back of theflower to complete the brooch
Arrange the 5 leaves to form a circle so thecorners of the leaves are touching Sew eachcorner together to form the petals of aflower
Turn the work so the wrong side is facing upand close the hole by sewing together withthe same DK yarn used to make the leaves
Crochet Flower Brooch
ch - chain stitchdc - double crochethtr - half treble crochetss - slip stitchtr - treble crochetst - stitch
Crochet Mobile PhoneiPod Cosy
Materials
50g Dk yarn in mustard colourSmall quantity of DK yarn in bright pink for picot edgingof cosy and small roseSmall quantity of DK yarn in sage green for leaves of roseflowerSize 300mm hook
Instructions for the cosy
The cosy can be made to fit a mobile phoneiPod of your choice
Pattern note the pattern is worked in dc throughout and worked in the round using the tapestrycrochet method of crochet This involves carrying a second yarn below the first making it verystrong
Foundation row
Using one strand of DK yarn in mustard make a chain that measures the width of your mobilephoneipod
Rnd 1 dc across row until the last chain 2dc in last chain Turn work
Rnd 2 Begin to carry a second strand of mustard yarn throughouteach round and every round from now on This yarn is not worked butcarried below the first strand of yarn
Work along the opposite side of the row just worked 1dc in first ch1ch in each chain until the last chain 2dc in last chain Now mark thelast stitch just worked with a different colour yarn so you can see theend of the round and keep moving this marker up to the last stitchworked
Rnd 3 Dc in each chain around working in spirals moving the stitchmarker as the piece grows Continue until the work measures thedesired length to fit the mobileiPod Fasten off and tie in loose ends
ch - chain stitchdc - double crochethtr - half treble crochetss - slip stitchtr - treble crochetst - stitch
Instructions for rose flower
Rnd 1 Using DK yarn in bright pink 1tr 2ch 1tr in 4th ch (skip 2ch1tr 2ch 1tr in next ch) 3 times (4 v- spaces)
Rnd 2 3ch 6tr into next v-space 1dc into space between v-spacesContinue with 6tr into each v-space and 1dc in between spaces untilend ss into last ch Fasten off
Roll the work with fingers from start to finish to create a small rose flower and sew together at thebase
Instructions for leaves
Using DK yarn and 300mm hook make 2 leaves as follows
Rnd 1 5ch dc in 2nd ch 1htr in next ch 1tr in each of next 2ch 3ch ss in base of last tr workedNow work on opposite side of stitches by turning the work
Rnd 2 3ch 1tr in each of next 2 ch 1htr in next ch dc ss in top of first st Fasten off and sew inloose ends
Assembly
Sew the leaves to the reverse of the rose and attach to the cosy as shown in the picture
Picot edging
Rnd 1 Using DK yarn in bright pink dc into each stitch around the edge of the cosy opening ss tofirst dc
Rnd 2 3ch ss into 2nd chain from hook ss into base of 3ch dc into next 2ch 3ch continuefrom to ss into last ch Fasten off and sew in loose ends
Written by Andrea Lesley Crochethttpwwwfolksycomshopsandrealesleycrochet
Materials
T - shirt - colour your choiceScissorsChainSewing needle and threadCorsage or embellishments
Step 1 First get a plain whitet-shirt
Step 2 Then cut off the neck Step 3 Now sew two pieces of chain to each side of where theneckline should be
Step 4 Cut a triangle out ofthe bottom of the t-shirt
Step 5 Tie the two ends thatare left into a knot or bow
Step 6 Finally add a corsageor flower to the front
Step 7 Now you have a bang on trend crop top simply wear over a vest top I loved designing andgokking up this t-shirt it took minutes and didnt cost a lot either
Corsage made by Madam SalamihttpwwwetsycomshopMadamSalami
Written By Heidi Jackson
Favourite finds from around the crafting communityThis months focus is Easter and Spring
Click on the images to take you to their store
Online StreetMISI
Ring With A FlowerBlue Fish Handmade
pound800
Spring necklace in glassand sterling silver
RosieJo Jewellerypound1275
Easter Eggs CardNaomi Constable
pound250
FOLKSY
Easter rabbit cushionwith choccie eggs
Phoebelinas Treasurespound500
Easter Knitted BagsFluerette
pound300
Small Gorgeous FeltSpring Bouquets
Spare Minute Productionspound2000
WOW THANK YOU
Green And Brown PetalFlower Bracelet
Sprinkles Sparklespound3750 inc pampp
Handmade Pink Canvas Wall Art(Set of 3)
Craft on Canvaspound3900 inc pampp
Blue Easter ChickDharmapaintings
pound12 20 inc pampp
All prices correct at the time of publication
Favourite finds from around the crafting communityThis months focus is Easter and Spring
Click on the images to take you to their store
Best PicksUGLY BE GONE
Handpainted DottyDolly Pegs
Ticketty Boopound650
Quirky Motifs ShopperRachael Taylor
pound1500
Collette the Cow BibBaby Boutique
pound1100
The Cutie Pie - recycledpaper butterfly shadow boxThe WingSpan Collection
pound6421
Easter 1 Square PendantHappy Easter Spring Flowers
Miss Gooseberry Pendantspound321
ETSY
RETROEasterplastic springfling daisy clip-on earringsamber brown makes art
pound208ARTFIRE
Easter Egg Mini Cards 2x2 6Peculiar Parchment
pound170
Spring Chicks - Little FusedGlass Dish - Easter Gift
First Light Glasspound926
4 Chocolate Easter ParadeBunny Lollipops extra large
Candy Cottagepound741
All prices correct at the time of publication
What you will need3 x 10 inch lengths of purple Cylon cord10mm silver plated lobster clasp and clasp tag2 x silver plated fold over necklace endsApprox 24 Rose Quartz gemstone chip beads(holes need to be large enough to thread onelength of the cylon cord though)2 x 4mm silver plated jump rings
Rose Quartz is the stone of unconditionalloveIt purifies and opens the heart helping thewearer to love themselves as well as others
Rose Quartz draws off negative energy andhelps release unexpressed emotions
Encourages self forgiveness and acceptanceaids self trust and self worth
I find it easier to use a macrame board for making this type of bracelet as it make it easier tokeep the design neat but its not essential I use a simple board made from a cork notice boardand pins I also use nylon nosed pliers to fold over the necklace ends as I find metal pliers oftenleave marks but again they arent essential
Step 2 Thread a chip bead onto each of the outer lengths ofcord
Step 3 Cross the outer cordsover the middle one as youwould in a braid Then braid thecords again
Step 1 Attach one of thenecklace ends to one end ofthe three lengths of CyloncordYou can then use the hole inthe end to attach the braceletto your board
Make a Rose Quartz Bracelet
Step 6 Attach the secondnecklace end to the three cordwithout cutting them as it makesit easier The ends can then betrimmed with a craft knife orsharp scissors
Step 7 Using the jump ringsattach the clasp to one end ofthe bracelet and the clasp tagto the other
Step 4 Thread two chip beadson to the new outer lengths ofcord and braid as in the previousstep
Step 5 Repeat step three and four untilthe bracelet reaches seven inchesor your desired length
(The clasp section will measureapproximately one inch)
If the cord ends become frayed they canbe fixed with a little super glue
Step 8 And there you areOne finished rose quartzbracelet
Would you like to share a craft project with Creative Crafting
Let us know what project you would like toshare with us
Anything from jewellery knitting and crochetcrafts paper crafts or a craft you feel hasbeen forgotten about
Email thecrystalladycreative-craftingcom
Written by Elderberry Artshttpwwwelderberryartscouk
To those who are not yet aware Prince William and Kate Middleton will tie the knot this month onFriday 29th April in a quiet little ceremony at Westminster Abbey To some this may mean getting aday off to celebrate the nuptials or actually attend the whole affair To others like myself who areself-employed there will be no day off and hence little difference from a normal day but we can stillbe happy for the two love birds entering a state of marital bliss for the first timeIn these uncertain economic times I am not sure how the Royal Wedding will affect the economyhow much money will people want to spend Will this mean street parties like those that dominatemany peoplersquos memories from Prince Charles and Dianarsquos wedding back in 1981 Will there be arush to purchase ridiculously crass lsquosouvenirrsquo mugs plates tea towels or will the market just not bethere at all with all the unsold Royal Wedding goods in the pound shops by JuneThe handmade and crafting sector needs to be aware of the sales potential created by this Royalevent and so products should be made available to support the celebrations and possibly make thecountry feel good about itself again Maybe a lovely warm spring day in April will be good for thecountry and make it forget its economic woes for a few hoursWe asked a number of our sellers about their experience of the last big Royal Wedding (Charles andDiana) and what they are going to do this time to celebrate There were mixed feelings ndash manywere too young to remember much about the 1981 event and even though I remember a day offfrom school I cannot remember any street parties or spontaneous Mardi Gras This time around Ithink money will be a big factor and most people will not stray too far from a bit of home baking inred white and blue and also a show of patriotic bunting Union Jacks are quite the lsquoin thingrsquo at themoment for interior design and so a patriotic statement may double as being hip and trendy
Kim Lampard of Zigzag Bunting thinks a great way tocelebrate the Royal Wedding is to make your own buntingShe suggests pulling together a pile of fabrics that you nolonger need but that hold cherished memories for you forexample your daughterrsquos first cute dress a tea-towel youbought on a special holiday an old bedspread made by your
Granny Even if the items are damaged so cannot be passed on to others there is always a littlecorner that can be cut up into a triangle to make a bunting flag Mix a few of these together and ifyou have enough for a colour scheme (such as red white and blue) fine but donrsquot worry the flagsdonrsquot even need to be the same size Sometimes a shabby chic lsquoMix and Matchrsquo approach turns outto be perfect Sew the fabric triangles onto a piece of ribbon or bias tape and you will have awonderful string of bunting to decorate for the special day You and your family will remember notonly the Royal Wedding when you bring out that bunting but have extra glimpses of their past inthe fabrics Definitely a memento to cherish
Gaye Weekes of A amp V Designs now lives in Snowdonia North Wales and onlyan hour away from Anglesey where the Royal couple will begin their marriedlife She has no doubt had that His Highness has been hovering over theirremote valley in his helicopter over recent months Gaye plans to be flying redwhite and green Welsh bunting for the wedding Her bunting is made fromvintage fabric from the 1950s and 1960s - a cotton heavy woven greenand cream floral and a jolly red and white gingham She adds ldquo
rdquo
This article was written by
from
httpwwwwowthankyoucouk
Karine Ait-Mohamed of The Pink Fairy Cake isFrench but now lives in England She says ldquo
rdquo In the spirit of the occasion Karinehas produced a product that combines both England and France into the celebration Shehas produced sets of two Union Jack hearts filled with lavender from Chateau la Gabelle inHaute-Provence
Lisa MacDonald of LisaMollyMacDonaldis quite enthusiastic about the weddingand getting caught up in the glamour of the
occasion ldquo
rdquo
Lou Carswell of Loubie Jewels has some prettyfantastic red white and blue jewellery which wouldbe suitable for a Royal wedding celebration She told
us ldquo
rdquo
So what can we gather from these observations It will be a nice idea to celebrate the RoyalWedding If we apply a little lsquowartimersquo austerity (handmade lends itself to recycling andupcycling) we shouldnrsquot have to spend a fortune We can step back from commercialism andbe involved in a low key but meaningful way that will make the event more memorable for itssimplicity and just a little thrift God Bless William and Kate
Tell us about yourself
My name is Sandra Ritchie I live in Cleethorpes UK with my husbandJason my 10 year old daughter Alisha my 2 year old son Alfred andour dog Dumbledore Primarily I am a housewife but in my sparetime I make jewellery of all kinds from beaded pieces to metal workbut mainly I make custom-made bespoke precious metal jewellery
When did your crafting begin and why
Many years ago I studied Jewellery and Metal Art at college andover time Ive collected the tools I needed but never got round tosetting up a workroom until 2009 when my Husband pointed outthat our Utility Room would be perfect for me to set up as aworkroom to start making jewellery again It seemed ideal Ialready had people interested in me making them some jewelleryand it meant I could stay at home and look after the children as wellas try to establish a name for myself as a Jewellery designermaker
What was the first item you made to sell online
The first item I made to sell whilst not specifically to sell online was asilver octopus necklace commissioned by an acquaintance of mine thathad seen the silver octopus necklace that I made for myself whilst atcollege and wanted one like it She has since purchased the silver andcopper entwined Dragon necklace and a commissioned silver Dragonand is back on my list for another piece to be made My number onefan I think
What is your biggest crafting achievement and why
I love all the pieces Ive created especially my Custom work but myfavourite piece of all is the Greenman necklace I was approached tomake something as a surprise for someone and was basically giventhe opportunity to produce something different to my usual pieces Ilove making pieces that are based on peoples ideas of what theywant that is really special but the Greenman necklace was mydesign based on what the customer wanted it to represent I had toteach myself etching for the piece as its something Id never learntand Im really pleased with how it worked out
Other than crafting what else do you like to do
I love spending time with my children and family I love baking andcooking too and I suppose I should admit to enjoying the oddrelaxing glass (or bottle) of nice wine when the children are in bed
wwwlittlefairycultcouk
Where would you like to be in 5 years
In 5 years time Id love to be in a better financial position so I canbuy silver and make silver jewellery to sell that isnt just Custom-made Ive started sneaking a few pieces of precious metal jewellerythat are for general sale onto my site
Where does your inspiration come from
My inspiration is usually from the customers themselves They tell mewhat it is they want and I design a piece to reflect that Sometimes theyalter the design slightly to reflect more of how they want it and that isfine For my bead jewellery its usually what beads I have in myworkroom that inspire my beaded pieces I very rarely buy beads for thereason that I have a design idea and usually just buy mixed lots of beadsand work with what I have
What are your favourite materials and why
I really love working with precious metals There is somethinguniquely satisfying about taking a flat sheet of metal and turning itinto a beautiful piece of jewellery Thats why I take pictures of thepieces as I am making them so that other people and the customerwhos item it is can enjoy seeing it progress from a blank piece ofprecious metal into the finished piece
What is favourite shop online that isnrsquot yours and why
Oh my There are so many amazing websites offering beautiful andunique handmade items but I will always take a look at Etsy to see ifthere is anything that catches my eye on there They have such a largevariety of designerssellers making almost everything but the kitchen sink(though I bet if you looked hard enough youd find one on there) Ireally enjoy the little treasuries they do too where you can browse aselection of items that are grouped together by themes
Has any person helped or supported you more than any other
I have had a lot of support from the good friends I have gained on Twitter and of coursemy real life friends have been extremely supportive too but the main reason I actuallysorted out my workroom (or corner of the utility room) was due to my husband insistingthat I start making jewellery again Luckily his insistence and support paid off virtuallystraight away when a friend asked for the octopus necklace I mentioned earlier to bemade
Tell us a random fact about yourself
I have known the sex of each child and whether Id be carrying one or more before I evenconceived them Fairly random but fact nevertheless
Kit includes seed beads 5 x handmade glass beads choker wire x 3 banglewire x 2 ring wire x 3 jewellery pliers beading mat instructions
Makes 8 fabulous and individual pieces of jewellery without the need forfiddly findings books or other money-wasters
Beaded Jewellery Kitpound12Japan Crafts
A coordinating selection of beads plus step-by-step full colour instructions to make your own version of the Jungle Collar design Learn how to work peyote stitch edge it with drops and embellish it with a lush fringe and beaded flowers and leaves Let your beading imagination run wild
Each kit is hand-picked and slightly different so the beads you receive may not be the exact onesshown in the photograph but you can be certain that your necklace will be uniqueThe kit comes carefully packaged in a handy reusable storage box the only things yoursquoll need inaddition are a beading needle a spool of nylon beading thread and some sharp scissors
Beadweaving Kit for Jungle Collar
pound38Lynn Davy
Fairy Earrings Jewellery Making Kit - Ages 7yrs+
pound5Jewellery Making Kits
These single kits are fabulous for all crafty and creative girls They also make great presents for school friends nieces sisters or even grown ups Each kit includes Sterling Silver earwires or studs a small selection of flowers for the skirt a pair of wings a few coloured glass pearls for the heads silver headpin Organza Bag Full set of instructionsSuitable for ages 7 years and up Requires a pair of pliers to finish off - all instructions included
Bracelet Kit - Chunky Swarovski Pearl and Crystal with Toggle Clasp
pound750Wonderstuff Craft Kits
A little kit of bronze Swarovski pearls and Golden Shadow Swarovski crystals silk and toggle clasp
Kit includes 11 x Swarovski 12mm Pearls Colour - Soft Bronze 3 x Swarovski Crystal 8mm Rondelles - Colour - Golden Shadow 8 x Swarovski Crystal 4mmBicones Colour - Light Colorado Topaz 1 x Silver Plated Toggle Bar 1 x Silver plated Toggle RingBracelet length of threading silk Instructions
This kit contains top quality beads to make an exquisite braceletno special tools are needed
Jewellery making kits
from the small crafterWersquove found a selection of wonderful beading kits for allages and experience These are not massed producedsets but offered by the small crafter
This article was created by The Crystal Lady httpwwwmysticearthcouk
This Months
This months lsquoMan of the Monthrsquo is Ade (Adrian)EdmondsonChosen by MegampMillie
This months lsquoLady of the Monthrsquo is GwenStefaniChosen by Claire Pearcy from Elderberry Arts
httpwwwgwenstefanicom
httpwwwunrealitytvcouklets-dance-for-comic-relieflets-dance-for-comic-relief-results-ade-edmondson-and-eighties-super-group-make-next-weeks-final
(Nothing like an April Fools)
This months lsquoBlog of the Month Awardrsquo goes to lsquoItrsquos All Fiddle Fartrsquo
httpitsallfiddlefartblogspotcom
This months lsquoShop of the Month Awardrsquo goes to lsquoJulias DriftwoodFurniturersquo
httpwwwfolksycomshopsseasandview123
ww
wc
reativ
e-cr
afting
co
mw
ww
cr
eative-c
on
nec
tion
snin
gc
om
CREATIVE CRAFTING
Our next issue will be available to read on
1st June 2010If you have missed any of our issues you
can find them to read on our websitewwwcreative-craftingcom
And also on our Social Network Creative Connectionswwwcreative-connectionsningcom
To advertise in Creative Crafting or to submit an article please contact Annaat thecrystalladycreative-craftingcom
AUGUSTSUMMER 2010
Issue 5
By Crafters for Crafters
Check out our
CraftersDirectory
CREATIVE CRAFTING
By Crafters for Crafters
Issue 3
ValentinesMothers Day 2010
HandcraftedWeddingSpecial
Valentine ampMothers Day
Projects
Have youbeen
featured
By Crafters for Crafters
Issue 3ValentinesMothers Day 2010
Handcrafted
Wedding
SpecialValentine amp
Mothers Day
ProjectsHave you
been
featured
By
EASTER 2010
Issue 4
FATHERS DAY 2010
Issue 4
By Crafters for Crafters
Ch
eck out our
Craft
ersDirectory
AUGUSTSUMMER 2
010
Issu
e 5
By Craf
ters fo
r Craf
ters
Chec
k out our
Crafters
Directory
CREATIVE
C
RAFTINGAU
TUM
N H
ALLO
WEE
N 201
0Is
sue
7
CREA
TIVE
CRAF
TIN
G
By Craf
ters f
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rafter
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k
out our
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AUTUMN HALLOWEEN 2010
Issue 7CREATIVE CRAFTING
By Crafters for Crafters
Check out our
CraftersDirectory
Anniversary
Issue
CHRISTMAS 2010
Issue 8
By Crafters for Crafters
FATHERS DAY 2010
Issue 4
By Crafters for Crafters
Check out our
Crafters
Directory
EASTER 2010
Issue 4
By Crafters for Crafters
By Crafters for Crafters
VALENTINES 2011Issue 9
CREATIVE CRAFTING
Ragtag Rugs Rug Making Ragtag RugsWith
Step 1 Using the compass and pencildraw two circles measuring 185 cmacross on the sheets of card and cut theseout using the scissors
Step 2 Using the marker pen and metre rule draw a rectangle on the piece of Hessian measuring63 cm x 84 cm leaving a boarder of about 12 cm all the way around the rectangle Divide therectangle into four giving you central lines for the width and length of the rug Place the card spotson the Hessian in the appropriate places and draw around them using the marker pen for the halfand quarter spots fold one of the card templates accordingly and then draw around it Draw in yourdesigns within the spots
Step 3 Fold under the raw edges of the Hessian and stitch with arunning stitch using the large-eyed needle and wool this is to preventthe Hessian fraying selvedge edges can be left as they are
Step 4 Hook in the strips of fabrics filling in the spots first and then thebackground You can either use the design shown here or make up yourown spots and colour scheme
Step 5 When completed lay the rug face down on the floor and turn in a hem of about 6 cms tothe back of the rug and pin it all the way around fold and pin the corners as neatly as possibleSew the hem to the back of the rug with a running stitch using the large-eyed needle and woolVoila You have a rug
wwwfolksycomshopsragtagrugs
Written by Ragtag Rugs
SupplierFor an American Style Rug Hook costing about pound750 and also Hessian go to Fred Aldous CraftSupplies wwwfredaldouscouk
NoteSome people prefer to use a rug making frame which helps to keep the rugsquare but as the rug wersquore making here is fairly small and wersquore keepingthings simple Irsquove dispensed with this
The first item I sold online was on my Folksy shop(httpwwwfolksycomshopsLaurabyTheSea) and was a vintage ceramic andbead brooch the buyer was very pleased with it and gave me great feedback
Tell us about yourselfMy name is Laura and I live by the sea in the East of England Pakefield to be precise I live with my wonderful Brother who is a musician so we have a very creative household and in our bright conservatory I make ldquoLaura by The Seardquo jewellery (from necklaces brooches amp bracelets to ear rings and hair slides) using vintage ceramics I break vintage crockery hand sand it to ensure there are no sharp edges and make the shards into beautiful jewellery
When did your crafting begin and whyI began studying ceramics during my BA Hons degree in Fine Art at The University of Portsmouthwhich is where my obsession for vintage crockery began to grow Initially I began by making newplates and tea cups with vintage shards in but soon the beauty of the ceramic shards startedappealing to me which is when I had the idea of making jewellery out of them - and one day I justdid it and havenrsquot stopped since I just love how the cute patterns really stand out against the silverchain
What was the first item you made to sell online
What is your biggest crafting achievement and why
I think my biggest crafting achievement since starting Laura by The SeaJewellery has to be getting interviewed for the national ldquoMAKE Jewelleryrdquomagazine as their new ldquoIt accessoryrdquo designer I totally didnrsquot expect themto contact me via my Folksy store
Other than crafting what else do you like to do
In my spare time I like to paint I write I stronglybelieve it is the simple things in life that count I am a collectorof anything old with a story and pick up anything found on the seashore First morning sunshine trawling antique treasure troves walks on the sand with my pooch Sepia tones and seeing life through a lens makes me happy I do a photographyfashion blog(laurabytheseatumblrcom) and am a very sociable person These are a fewof my favourite things and yes that should include raindrops on roses andbrown paper packages tied up with string
Where would you like to be in 5 years
In 5 years time I would love to be able to do this on a full time basis tomake enough money to live I am aiming to have my jewellery sold in manyUK wide independent stores and hopefully a few abroad However theultimate dream is to have my jewellery featured in Vogue
The first item I sold online was on my Folksy shop(httpwwwfolksycomshopsLaurabyTheSea) and was a vintage ceramic andbead brooch the buyer was very pleased with it and gave me great feedback
Where does your inspiration come from
My inspiration comes from trawling antique and vintage shops photography (one of my current favphotographers is Elizabeth Sarah from America) and I am always inspired by other people When Iget talking with my friends about anything creative the juices start flowing and I get more designideas I am also inspired and work along with music (anything from RampB amp Hip-hop to Reggae andJazz I have an eclectic mix)
What are your favourite materials and why
Vintage ceramics because I adore the vintage floral prints on the crockeryand like the idea of being as eco-friendly as possible and like to only userecycled materials in my jewellery
What is favourite shop online that isnrsquot yours and why
My favourite online shop has to be Loglike a contemporary gift and home ware store with vintageelements The owner makes cute candlesticks from vintage plates and saucers that look amazing onmy coffee table (see httpwwwfolksycomshopsLoglike)
Has any person helped or supported you more than any other
I would have to say my parents and Brother Not just financially when Iwas a poor struggling student but they are supportive with everything Ido in life and I just couldnrsquot do without them My brother is more like abest friend
Tell us a random fact about yourself
I have 23 dresses in my wardrobe and have a vinyl collection of mostly 1980rsquos music (my guiltypleasure)
httpwwwfolksycomshopsLaurabyTheSea
Visit
Lauraat
in the GardenHi Irsquom Tina
Good to have you visit with me again in The GardenI think we will sit in the conservatory this morning the sun is juststreaming in it is so wonderful to feel the warmth after such a coldwinter I have the kettle on and some little iced biscuits butremember we must not over indulge me especially as I have notbeen working in the garden so much just sitting in doors munching
Well Spring is here at last and it does seem to be in a hurrythis year the crab apple is already in bud and also the fruittrees
I had my own little piece of garden and the plants therewere in my charge if I forgot to water them and theydied mother would say you have to be responsible givethem a little care and you will be rewarded with so muchbeauty and as I look around the garden today thebeauty just takes my breath awayI checked out the herbs after the winter and just look atthis monster itrsquos the parsley how great is this
Here is a photo of the willow catkins or lambs tails as mymother used to call them she was a country woman andknew every wild flower by their old country names sheloved all nature and her garden and was my inspirationfrom an early age
wwwtina-in-the-gardenblogspotcom
Also I think that this flower is really confused it is of coursean antirrhinum when I emptied the summer bedding fromthe tubs some were still fine so I planted them in thegarden and as you can see have been well rewarded Alsosome silver foliage plants which I cannot remember thename of and of course have lost thelabel they seem to think that it isalready summer
At the moment you can get into the bog it does not look half as mysterious as it does inthe summer you can even see the streamMy better half and I have one or two projects this summer well I have theideas and he makes them work howlucky am I So watch this space
Oh you have to leave well thank you again for coming be safe until your next visit withme in The Garden
Your green fingered friendTina
The bluebells are coming throughin the wood not long now beforethey flower they have to hurrybefore the trees get their leaves
Creative CraftingAdvertise with
wwwcreative-craftingcomadvertisehtml
A mouse herecould take customers
to your store
We care about yourcraft business
Prices startfrom
only pound2
There are a lot of different crafts to choose fromThis series of articles will discover some of the more unusual and also some
old world crafts that may have been almost forgotten
This article was created by
The Crystal Ladyhttpwwwmysticearthcouk
Sold by Amazon
Knitting with Dog Hairby Anne Montgomery
Contains easy step-by-step instructions for collecting cleaningstoring and spinning your dogs fur The book includes originalknitting patterns for the novice and the pro - from mittens toshawls to lace collars from your cats hair
How to Knit a Dog Hair Sweater
E-How
The brushed undercoat of a dog is called chiengora and can be used for knittingcrocheting or felting just like lambs wool or other yarn Dogs hair has been used forcenturies for weaving blankets and other coverings Dogs hair is much warmer thanwool Here is how to knit a sweater from dog hair
After the tutorial the writer goes on to leave a warning that dog hair is much warmerthan wool and an entire garment made of dog hair will be too hot to wear
I also found a very fascinating article about a lady called Laurie Moy on the Boulder DailyCamera website
Better a sweater from a dog you know and love than from a sheepyoull never meet
Warp and woof-woof Making clothes out of dog hair
Read more Boulder Daily Camera
This was discovered in an American newspaper by Creative Craftings Tinawe just had to tell you about it
I did some Googling about this and apparently there is quite alot about it I found a tutorial on the popular E-How site
Irsquom sure like me yoursquoll find this quite fascinatingIf any of our spinners out there fancy a go atcreating some yarn from their pooches we wouldlove to see some of the results It is also a greatidea for recycling all of that fluff that you areconstantly sweeping up off your sofa or yourcarpet There really is a use for most things afterall
Salt dough is so quick and easy (and therapeutic) to make endlessly adaptable a joy to sharewith the kids and has the advantage of being made from store-cupboard basics (although youcould make these projects in clay or fimo or even plasticine)The drawbacks are that it takes a while to cookpaintvarnish it will dissolve in wet or very dampconditions and will break if you drop it So allow yourself a couple of days to produce a finishedpiece and varnish thoroughly when decorated to protect against any damage
Making a Batch of Salt Dough
1 Mug of Table Salt2 Mugs of Plain FlourApprox 1 Mug of Tepid Water (Add final frac14 slowly)1 Tablespoon of Olive or Vegetable Oil (Optional)
Mix the flour and salt together in a bowlIf you are using oil (which helps to add elasticity but is optional and not necessary) add it to themug of water Add the water (with or without oil) to the salt and flour mixAdd most of the water stirring into the dry ingredients with a wooden spoon Add the last of thewater carefully as you will need more or less depending on humidity and the gradequality of theflourYou need to add enough to bind the ingredients without making it too sticky Empty onto a lightlyfloured surface and knead for at least ten minutes until the dough is smooth and slightly warm
A Few Tips for Modelling Salt DoughRoll out salt dough onto a lightly floured surface with a floured rolling pin or you could use abottle if you havent got a rolling pin Gently flattening salt dough with the heels of your hands willwork too but keep moving the dough to keep it even and turn it over to the fresh smooth sidejust before you begin cutting shapesKeep the thickness of your pieces under an inch much thicker than this and they wont hardenproperly in the middleUse a sharp knife to cut salt dough shapes but a blunt knife (or the back of a knife) is useful whenmarking lines onto the dough A scalpel or craft knife is best for cutting out intricate shapesUse pastry cutters plasticine moulds forks hair grips scrubbing brushes experiment withanything you have lying around the house
Cooking Salt DoughCook your salt dough pieces slowly in a very low oven The cooler and slower the better to preventdistortion in the cooking process These pieces were cooked at 140275 degrees or Gas Mark 1 forapproximately 2 hours but I often leave them all day in the oven at its lowest setting
Heartmade Gifts
Decorating Salt DoughYou can decorate your pieces before or after the cooking process Try adding food colouringherbs and spices tea or coffee to your dough as you knead it Or try painting your uncooked piecewith an egg wash for a lovely golden glowExperiment with various mediums on cooked pieces Gouache and acrylics work well but posterpaint is fine (if a little limited in colour variation) and you could try chalks felt tips or crayonsUse glue to add decorations including glitter sequins fabric bows tiny scraps of paper etcIts nice to leave the dough perfectly natural sometimes and sometimes a combination of naturaldough and painted areas works very wellVarnish thoroughly Any varnish will work I tend to use a spray varnish as a first coat to set thepaints then I add a few coats of a super store own brand wood varnish (If you need yourfinished piece to be especially waterproof try yacht varnish but be aware that it will tend tochange the colours making them yellowish)Use a small brush to get into all the nooks and crannies and allow each coat to dry thoroughlybefore applying the next one The more coats you apply the better protected your final pieceHowever unvarnished salt dough I have made for personal use (or the odd forgotten piece) hassurvived very well even in a slightly damp old house So dont let a lack of varnish deter you fromtrying salt dough But if you are creating a family heirloom four or five coats of a good varnish willensure it lasts for yearsTry these two Easter projects the ldquoEgg-stra Specialrdquo eggs are very quick and simple enough to dowith small children the primrose basket takes a while and is a little fiddly but well worth tryingand very easy to adapt by choosing your own flower or perhaps some other motif
~ Egg-stra Special Eggs ~
1 Form an egg shape from a small ball of dough by rolling in your hands and pressthis gently onto your baking tray(Its easier to build your salt dough pieces directly onto the tray you will use tocook them rather than try and move them while they are still uncooked I havebuilt my eggs onto the kitchen surface because it will be easier for you to see whatIm doing)
2 Roll out a piece of salt dough and use it to cover the bottom end of youregg like a blanket When you are happy with the position gently lift andrun a wet paintbrush between the two pieces to glue them together
3 Cut out an egg cup shape around your egg
4 Use a damp paintbrush to push the egg cup onto the eggand ensure it sticks
(A damp paintbrush also helps soften edges and blend any creases or cracks)
5 Uncurl an old metal paperclip and push into the dough to form a hangingloop You can use a piece of any wire I try and use paperclips or a piece of wire
coat-hanger as I like to recycle An alternative hanging method is to create a smallhole (or two holes for larger pieces) and thread a ribbon or piece of leather shoelacethrough the hole tying it to make a loop)
6 Cut out a small bow shape from a piece of flattened dough
7 Cut two ribbon ends from a rectangle of flattened dough
8 Use a wet paintbrush to layer the ribbon ends onto thetop of your egg
9 Attach the bow in position And add a small piece to the centre ofthe bow to finish
10 Cook
11 Decorate in whatever way takes your fancy hellip have fun
~ Primrose Basket ~
1 Cover a bowl in greaseproof paper and turn upside down onto your baking tray
2 Roll out some dough to approx 5mm thickness and cut into thin stripslong enough to cover your bowl
3 Lay four of these strips across the bottom ofyour bowl
4 Begin weaving four in the opposite direction by gently liftingalternate strips out of the way laying the cross strip and replacingthe lifted strips
5 Then add one strip to each side until you reach the edge of the bowl
6 Trim the edge with a knife or fold the stripsback to form a rough bowl lip You can indentsomething on the dough to secure anddecorate
7 Cook
8 Carefully remove the bowl and paper
9 Make primrose flowers and leaves and glue them to the rim with a wetpaintbrush replacing your bowl in the oven for a short whileLeaves ndash cut rough leaf shapes out of a piece of flatted dough and mark theveins and indent the edges with the back of a knifeFlowers ndash use a small heart cutter to cut 5 heart shapes and place on the rim with pointstogether indenting the centre with your fingertip and then marking with the end of a paintbrushPaint with whichever medium you prefer or have to hand I have used acrylics here leaving thebasket natural and painting the primrose leaves green and the flowers yellow adding someorange to the centres of the flowers while the yellow is still damp for a blurred effect
This article was written by Diannefrom Heartmade Gifts
Join Heartmade Gifts on Facebook
wwwheartmadegiftswordpresscom
Lilac Lace Heart LocketJewellery by Bina
Vintage Victorian StyledSweetheart Locket
Miss Bohemia
pound17
pound15
Emerald Bewitched
youmin
$40
The Bright Forest Locket
marisolspoon
$35
Cameral Locket
mydogandi
$2750
Creative CraftingFavourite
This article was created by
The Crystal Ladyhttpwwwmysticearthcouk
Lockets may sound very old fashioned but if you have a wander through thehandmade sites you will find a wealth of very modern and extremely beautifuldesigns Perfect for you to carry your loved ones with you wherever you go
Bee Joyful LocketThe Whimsical Wren
pound10
SteampunkWatch Mechanism
Locketedmdesigns
$85
Luscious LocketsLuscious Lockets
Who likes Chocolate CakeThis is a great recipe for Easter Mothers day or any other daylets admit it we all love chocolate
Ingredients
7 oz self raising flour8 oz caster sugar1 teaspoon of salt2 tablespoons of cocoa powder4 oz margarine2 eggs beaten with5 tablespoons evaporated milk5 tablespoons water1 teaspoon vanilla essence
1 Sift together flour sugar and salt and cocoa2 Rub in margarine3 Stir in eggs essence and liquids then beat well4 Grease and flour 2 8 inch cake tins divide the mixture between them5 Bake in a moderate over 325-350 F gas mark 3 about 35 minutes6 When cold sandwich together and cover in milk chocolate icing
Milk chocolate Icing
Ingredients
2 and a half oz margarine or butter4 tablespoons cocoa8 oz sieved icing sugar3 tablespoons hot milk1 teaspoon vanilla essence
Melt the margarine or butter and blend incocoa powder then stir in icing sugar milkand vanilla essence Beat until smooth andthick
We hope you all enjoy the recipe we would love to see anypictures of chocolate cakes that you make
Instructions
Instructions
Written and reviewed by Peggyrsquos Knitshttppeggyscollectionwebscom
By Sprinkles Sparkleshttpwwwsprinklessparklescouk
All prices are correct at the time of publication
Budget amp LuxurySpring special
Woodland DaffodilsCharm Bracelet
Coco Angel Rosepound1600
Spring Flower Hair ClipFlutter2me
pound450
Spring flowers broochDi Does Craft
pound800
Pink Spring Clutchfunky diva designs
pound1750
Cupcake BuntingCotton Cottage
pound1650
Purple TulipsWildrose Ridge
pound350
Chickadees and LilacsStained Glass WindowStained Glass Addie
pound4940
The Charlotte - SageRosalind Jamespound14500
Springtime 16 Crayon RollApple n Amos
pound509
Buttercup earrings in softyellow with peridot and brass
Goblins Marketpound401
Springtime DalaFolk Horse HangingDecoration - YellowCourt and Spark
pound400
D A P H N E - BrokenChina Plate Pendant
and Sterling Silver NecklaceDesigns by Mila
pound2228
To make the leaves
Using DK yarn and 300 mm hook make 5 leaves as follows
Rnd 1 9ch dc in 2nd ch 1htr in next ch 1tr in each of next 6ch 3ch ss in base of last tr worked
Now work on opposite side of stitches by turning the work
Rnd 2 3ch 1tr in each of next 6ch 1htr in next ch dc ss in top of first stFasten off and sew in loose ends
Materials
Small quantity of DK yarn I have used a yarn with awool-mix but any DK yarn of your choice will be suitableSmall quantity of kid mohair yarn (use two strands together)300 mm hook200 mm hookOne large buttonBrooch pinSewing needle
To make the small rose
Using a 200 mm hook and working two strands of kid mohair yarn together 13ch
Rnd 1 1tr 2ch 1tr in 4th ch (skip 2ch 1tr 2ch 1tr in next ch) 3 times (4 v- spaces)
Rnd 2 3ch 6tr into next v-space 1dc into space between v-spaces Continue with 6tr into eachv-space and 1dc in between spaces until end ss into last ch Fasten off
Roll the work with fingers from start to finish to create a small rose flower and sew together at thebase
Assembling the brooch
Turn the flower so the right side is facing up and sew the button in the centre of the flowerAttach the rose to the centre of the button as shown in diagram Sew a brooch pin to the back of theflower to complete the brooch
Arrange the 5 leaves to form a circle so thecorners of the leaves are touching Sew eachcorner together to form the petals of aflower
Turn the work so the wrong side is facing upand close the hole by sewing together withthe same DK yarn used to make the leaves
Crochet Flower Brooch
ch - chain stitchdc - double crochethtr - half treble crochetss - slip stitchtr - treble crochetst - stitch
Crochet Mobile PhoneiPod Cosy
Materials
50g Dk yarn in mustard colourSmall quantity of DK yarn in bright pink for picot edgingof cosy and small roseSmall quantity of DK yarn in sage green for leaves of roseflowerSize 300mm hook
Instructions for the cosy
The cosy can be made to fit a mobile phoneiPod of your choice
Pattern note the pattern is worked in dc throughout and worked in the round using the tapestrycrochet method of crochet This involves carrying a second yarn below the first making it verystrong
Foundation row
Using one strand of DK yarn in mustard make a chain that measures the width of your mobilephoneipod
Rnd 1 dc across row until the last chain 2dc in last chain Turn work
Rnd 2 Begin to carry a second strand of mustard yarn throughouteach round and every round from now on This yarn is not worked butcarried below the first strand of yarn
Work along the opposite side of the row just worked 1dc in first ch1ch in each chain until the last chain 2dc in last chain Now mark thelast stitch just worked with a different colour yarn so you can see theend of the round and keep moving this marker up to the last stitchworked
Rnd 3 Dc in each chain around working in spirals moving the stitchmarker as the piece grows Continue until the work measures thedesired length to fit the mobileiPod Fasten off and tie in loose ends
ch - chain stitchdc - double crochethtr - half treble crochetss - slip stitchtr - treble crochetst - stitch
Instructions for rose flower
Rnd 1 Using DK yarn in bright pink 1tr 2ch 1tr in 4th ch (skip 2ch1tr 2ch 1tr in next ch) 3 times (4 v- spaces)
Rnd 2 3ch 6tr into next v-space 1dc into space between v-spacesContinue with 6tr into each v-space and 1dc in between spaces untilend ss into last ch Fasten off
Roll the work with fingers from start to finish to create a small rose flower and sew together at thebase
Instructions for leaves
Using DK yarn and 300mm hook make 2 leaves as follows
Rnd 1 5ch dc in 2nd ch 1htr in next ch 1tr in each of next 2ch 3ch ss in base of last tr workedNow work on opposite side of stitches by turning the work
Rnd 2 3ch 1tr in each of next 2 ch 1htr in next ch dc ss in top of first st Fasten off and sew inloose ends
Assembly
Sew the leaves to the reverse of the rose and attach to the cosy as shown in the picture
Picot edging
Rnd 1 Using DK yarn in bright pink dc into each stitch around the edge of the cosy opening ss tofirst dc
Rnd 2 3ch ss into 2nd chain from hook ss into base of 3ch dc into next 2ch 3ch continuefrom to ss into last ch Fasten off and sew in loose ends
Written by Andrea Lesley Crochethttpwwwfolksycomshopsandrealesleycrochet
Materials
T - shirt - colour your choiceScissorsChainSewing needle and threadCorsage or embellishments
Step 1 First get a plain whitet-shirt
Step 2 Then cut off the neck Step 3 Now sew two pieces of chain to each side of where theneckline should be
Step 4 Cut a triangle out ofthe bottom of the t-shirt
Step 5 Tie the two ends thatare left into a knot or bow
Step 6 Finally add a corsageor flower to the front
Step 7 Now you have a bang on trend crop top simply wear over a vest top I loved designing andgokking up this t-shirt it took minutes and didnt cost a lot either
Corsage made by Madam SalamihttpwwwetsycomshopMadamSalami
Written By Heidi Jackson
Favourite finds from around the crafting communityThis months focus is Easter and Spring
Click on the images to take you to their store
Online StreetMISI
Ring With A FlowerBlue Fish Handmade
pound800
Spring necklace in glassand sterling silver
RosieJo Jewellerypound1275
Easter Eggs CardNaomi Constable
pound250
FOLKSY
Easter rabbit cushionwith choccie eggs
Phoebelinas Treasurespound500
Easter Knitted BagsFluerette
pound300
Small Gorgeous FeltSpring Bouquets
Spare Minute Productionspound2000
WOW THANK YOU
Green And Brown PetalFlower Bracelet
Sprinkles Sparklespound3750 inc pampp
Handmade Pink Canvas Wall Art(Set of 3)
Craft on Canvaspound3900 inc pampp
Blue Easter ChickDharmapaintings
pound12 20 inc pampp
All prices correct at the time of publication
Favourite finds from around the crafting communityThis months focus is Easter and Spring
Click on the images to take you to their store
Best PicksUGLY BE GONE
Handpainted DottyDolly Pegs
Ticketty Boopound650
Quirky Motifs ShopperRachael Taylor
pound1500
Collette the Cow BibBaby Boutique
pound1100
The Cutie Pie - recycledpaper butterfly shadow boxThe WingSpan Collection
pound6421
Easter 1 Square PendantHappy Easter Spring Flowers
Miss Gooseberry Pendantspound321
ETSY
RETROEasterplastic springfling daisy clip-on earringsamber brown makes art
pound208ARTFIRE
Easter Egg Mini Cards 2x2 6Peculiar Parchment
pound170
Spring Chicks - Little FusedGlass Dish - Easter Gift
First Light Glasspound926
4 Chocolate Easter ParadeBunny Lollipops extra large
Candy Cottagepound741
All prices correct at the time of publication
What you will need3 x 10 inch lengths of purple Cylon cord10mm silver plated lobster clasp and clasp tag2 x silver plated fold over necklace endsApprox 24 Rose Quartz gemstone chip beads(holes need to be large enough to thread onelength of the cylon cord though)2 x 4mm silver plated jump rings
Rose Quartz is the stone of unconditionalloveIt purifies and opens the heart helping thewearer to love themselves as well as others
Rose Quartz draws off negative energy andhelps release unexpressed emotions
Encourages self forgiveness and acceptanceaids self trust and self worth
I find it easier to use a macrame board for making this type of bracelet as it make it easier tokeep the design neat but its not essential I use a simple board made from a cork notice boardand pins I also use nylon nosed pliers to fold over the necklace ends as I find metal pliers oftenleave marks but again they arent essential
Step 2 Thread a chip bead onto each of the outer lengths ofcord
Step 3 Cross the outer cordsover the middle one as youwould in a braid Then braid thecords again
Step 1 Attach one of thenecklace ends to one end ofthe three lengths of CyloncordYou can then use the hole inthe end to attach the braceletto your board
Make a Rose Quartz Bracelet
Step 6 Attach the secondnecklace end to the three cordwithout cutting them as it makesit easier The ends can then betrimmed with a craft knife orsharp scissors
Step 7 Using the jump ringsattach the clasp to one end ofthe bracelet and the clasp tagto the other
Step 4 Thread two chip beadson to the new outer lengths ofcord and braid as in the previousstep
Step 5 Repeat step three and four untilthe bracelet reaches seven inchesor your desired length
(The clasp section will measureapproximately one inch)
If the cord ends become frayed they canbe fixed with a little super glue
Step 8 And there you areOne finished rose quartzbracelet
Would you like to share a craft project with Creative Crafting
Let us know what project you would like toshare with us
Anything from jewellery knitting and crochetcrafts paper crafts or a craft you feel hasbeen forgotten about
Email thecrystalladycreative-craftingcom
Written by Elderberry Artshttpwwwelderberryartscouk
To those who are not yet aware Prince William and Kate Middleton will tie the knot this month onFriday 29th April in a quiet little ceremony at Westminster Abbey To some this may mean getting aday off to celebrate the nuptials or actually attend the whole affair To others like myself who areself-employed there will be no day off and hence little difference from a normal day but we can stillbe happy for the two love birds entering a state of marital bliss for the first timeIn these uncertain economic times I am not sure how the Royal Wedding will affect the economyhow much money will people want to spend Will this mean street parties like those that dominatemany peoplersquos memories from Prince Charles and Dianarsquos wedding back in 1981 Will there be arush to purchase ridiculously crass lsquosouvenirrsquo mugs plates tea towels or will the market just not bethere at all with all the unsold Royal Wedding goods in the pound shops by JuneThe handmade and crafting sector needs to be aware of the sales potential created by this Royalevent and so products should be made available to support the celebrations and possibly make thecountry feel good about itself again Maybe a lovely warm spring day in April will be good for thecountry and make it forget its economic woes for a few hoursWe asked a number of our sellers about their experience of the last big Royal Wedding (Charles andDiana) and what they are going to do this time to celebrate There were mixed feelings ndash manywere too young to remember much about the 1981 event and even though I remember a day offfrom school I cannot remember any street parties or spontaneous Mardi Gras This time around Ithink money will be a big factor and most people will not stray too far from a bit of home baking inred white and blue and also a show of patriotic bunting Union Jacks are quite the lsquoin thingrsquo at themoment for interior design and so a patriotic statement may double as being hip and trendy
Kim Lampard of Zigzag Bunting thinks a great way tocelebrate the Royal Wedding is to make your own buntingShe suggests pulling together a pile of fabrics that you nolonger need but that hold cherished memories for you forexample your daughterrsquos first cute dress a tea-towel youbought on a special holiday an old bedspread made by your
Granny Even if the items are damaged so cannot be passed on to others there is always a littlecorner that can be cut up into a triangle to make a bunting flag Mix a few of these together and ifyou have enough for a colour scheme (such as red white and blue) fine but donrsquot worry the flagsdonrsquot even need to be the same size Sometimes a shabby chic lsquoMix and Matchrsquo approach turns outto be perfect Sew the fabric triangles onto a piece of ribbon or bias tape and you will have awonderful string of bunting to decorate for the special day You and your family will remember notonly the Royal Wedding when you bring out that bunting but have extra glimpses of their past inthe fabrics Definitely a memento to cherish
Gaye Weekes of A amp V Designs now lives in Snowdonia North Wales and onlyan hour away from Anglesey where the Royal couple will begin their marriedlife She has no doubt had that His Highness has been hovering over theirremote valley in his helicopter over recent months Gaye plans to be flying redwhite and green Welsh bunting for the wedding Her bunting is made fromvintage fabric from the 1950s and 1960s - a cotton heavy woven greenand cream floral and a jolly red and white gingham She adds ldquo
rdquo
This article was written by
from
httpwwwwowthankyoucouk
Karine Ait-Mohamed of The Pink Fairy Cake isFrench but now lives in England She says ldquo
rdquo In the spirit of the occasion Karinehas produced a product that combines both England and France into the celebration Shehas produced sets of two Union Jack hearts filled with lavender from Chateau la Gabelle inHaute-Provence
Lisa MacDonald of LisaMollyMacDonaldis quite enthusiastic about the weddingand getting caught up in the glamour of the
occasion ldquo
rdquo
Lou Carswell of Loubie Jewels has some prettyfantastic red white and blue jewellery which wouldbe suitable for a Royal wedding celebration She told
us ldquo
rdquo
So what can we gather from these observations It will be a nice idea to celebrate the RoyalWedding If we apply a little lsquowartimersquo austerity (handmade lends itself to recycling andupcycling) we shouldnrsquot have to spend a fortune We can step back from commercialism andbe involved in a low key but meaningful way that will make the event more memorable for itssimplicity and just a little thrift God Bless William and Kate
Tell us about yourself
My name is Sandra Ritchie I live in Cleethorpes UK with my husbandJason my 10 year old daughter Alisha my 2 year old son Alfred andour dog Dumbledore Primarily I am a housewife but in my sparetime I make jewellery of all kinds from beaded pieces to metal workbut mainly I make custom-made bespoke precious metal jewellery
When did your crafting begin and why
Many years ago I studied Jewellery and Metal Art at college andover time Ive collected the tools I needed but never got round tosetting up a workroom until 2009 when my Husband pointed outthat our Utility Room would be perfect for me to set up as aworkroom to start making jewellery again It seemed ideal Ialready had people interested in me making them some jewelleryand it meant I could stay at home and look after the children as wellas try to establish a name for myself as a Jewellery designermaker
What was the first item you made to sell online
The first item I made to sell whilst not specifically to sell online was asilver octopus necklace commissioned by an acquaintance of mine thathad seen the silver octopus necklace that I made for myself whilst atcollege and wanted one like it She has since purchased the silver andcopper entwined Dragon necklace and a commissioned silver Dragonand is back on my list for another piece to be made My number onefan I think
What is your biggest crafting achievement and why
I love all the pieces Ive created especially my Custom work but myfavourite piece of all is the Greenman necklace I was approached tomake something as a surprise for someone and was basically giventhe opportunity to produce something different to my usual pieces Ilove making pieces that are based on peoples ideas of what theywant that is really special but the Greenman necklace was mydesign based on what the customer wanted it to represent I had toteach myself etching for the piece as its something Id never learntand Im really pleased with how it worked out
Other than crafting what else do you like to do
I love spending time with my children and family I love baking andcooking too and I suppose I should admit to enjoying the oddrelaxing glass (or bottle) of nice wine when the children are in bed
wwwlittlefairycultcouk
Where would you like to be in 5 years
In 5 years time Id love to be in a better financial position so I canbuy silver and make silver jewellery to sell that isnt just Custom-made Ive started sneaking a few pieces of precious metal jewellerythat are for general sale onto my site
Where does your inspiration come from
My inspiration is usually from the customers themselves They tell mewhat it is they want and I design a piece to reflect that Sometimes theyalter the design slightly to reflect more of how they want it and that isfine For my bead jewellery its usually what beads I have in myworkroom that inspire my beaded pieces I very rarely buy beads for thereason that I have a design idea and usually just buy mixed lots of beadsand work with what I have
What are your favourite materials and why
I really love working with precious metals There is somethinguniquely satisfying about taking a flat sheet of metal and turning itinto a beautiful piece of jewellery Thats why I take pictures of thepieces as I am making them so that other people and the customerwhos item it is can enjoy seeing it progress from a blank piece ofprecious metal into the finished piece
What is favourite shop online that isnrsquot yours and why
Oh my There are so many amazing websites offering beautiful andunique handmade items but I will always take a look at Etsy to see ifthere is anything that catches my eye on there They have such a largevariety of designerssellers making almost everything but the kitchen sink(though I bet if you looked hard enough youd find one on there) Ireally enjoy the little treasuries they do too where you can browse aselection of items that are grouped together by themes
Has any person helped or supported you more than any other
I have had a lot of support from the good friends I have gained on Twitter and of coursemy real life friends have been extremely supportive too but the main reason I actuallysorted out my workroom (or corner of the utility room) was due to my husband insistingthat I start making jewellery again Luckily his insistence and support paid off virtuallystraight away when a friend asked for the octopus necklace I mentioned earlier to bemade
Tell us a random fact about yourself
I have known the sex of each child and whether Id be carrying one or more before I evenconceived them Fairly random but fact nevertheless
Kit includes seed beads 5 x handmade glass beads choker wire x 3 banglewire x 2 ring wire x 3 jewellery pliers beading mat instructions
Makes 8 fabulous and individual pieces of jewellery without the need forfiddly findings books or other money-wasters
Beaded Jewellery Kitpound12Japan Crafts
A coordinating selection of beads plus step-by-step full colour instructions to make your own version of the Jungle Collar design Learn how to work peyote stitch edge it with drops and embellish it with a lush fringe and beaded flowers and leaves Let your beading imagination run wild
Each kit is hand-picked and slightly different so the beads you receive may not be the exact onesshown in the photograph but you can be certain that your necklace will be uniqueThe kit comes carefully packaged in a handy reusable storage box the only things yoursquoll need inaddition are a beading needle a spool of nylon beading thread and some sharp scissors
Beadweaving Kit for Jungle Collar
pound38Lynn Davy
Fairy Earrings Jewellery Making Kit - Ages 7yrs+
pound5Jewellery Making Kits
These single kits are fabulous for all crafty and creative girls They also make great presents for school friends nieces sisters or even grown ups Each kit includes Sterling Silver earwires or studs a small selection of flowers for the skirt a pair of wings a few coloured glass pearls for the heads silver headpin Organza Bag Full set of instructionsSuitable for ages 7 years and up Requires a pair of pliers to finish off - all instructions included
Bracelet Kit - Chunky Swarovski Pearl and Crystal with Toggle Clasp
pound750Wonderstuff Craft Kits
A little kit of bronze Swarovski pearls and Golden Shadow Swarovski crystals silk and toggle clasp
Kit includes 11 x Swarovski 12mm Pearls Colour - Soft Bronze 3 x Swarovski Crystal 8mm Rondelles - Colour - Golden Shadow 8 x Swarovski Crystal 4mmBicones Colour - Light Colorado Topaz 1 x Silver Plated Toggle Bar 1 x Silver plated Toggle RingBracelet length of threading silk Instructions
This kit contains top quality beads to make an exquisite braceletno special tools are needed
Jewellery making kits
from the small crafterWersquove found a selection of wonderful beading kits for allages and experience These are not massed producedsets but offered by the small crafter
This article was created by The Crystal Lady httpwwwmysticearthcouk
This Months
This months lsquoMan of the Monthrsquo is Ade (Adrian)EdmondsonChosen by MegampMillie
This months lsquoLady of the Monthrsquo is GwenStefaniChosen by Claire Pearcy from Elderberry Arts
httpwwwgwenstefanicom
httpwwwunrealitytvcouklets-dance-for-comic-relieflets-dance-for-comic-relief-results-ade-edmondson-and-eighties-super-group-make-next-weeks-final
(Nothing like an April Fools)
This months lsquoBlog of the Month Awardrsquo goes to lsquoItrsquos All Fiddle Fartrsquo
httpitsallfiddlefartblogspotcom
This months lsquoShop of the Month Awardrsquo goes to lsquoJulias DriftwoodFurniturersquo
httpwwwfolksycomshopsseasandview123
ww
wc
reativ
e-cr
afting
co
mw
ww
cr
eative-c
on
nec
tion
snin
gc
om
CREATIVE CRAFTING
Our next issue will be available to read on
1st June 2010If you have missed any of our issues you
can find them to read on our websitewwwcreative-craftingcom
And also on our Social Network Creative Connectionswwwcreative-connectionsningcom
To advertise in Creative Crafting or to submit an article please contact Annaat thecrystalladycreative-craftingcom
AUGUSTSUMMER 2010
Issue 5
By Crafters for Crafters
Check out our
CraftersDirectory
CREATIVE CRAFTING
By Crafters for Crafters
Issue 3
ValentinesMothers Day 2010
HandcraftedWeddingSpecial
Valentine ampMothers Day
Projects
Have youbeen
featured
By Crafters for Crafters
Issue 3ValentinesMothers Day 2010
Handcrafted
Wedding
SpecialValentine amp
Mothers Day
ProjectsHave you
been
featured
By
EASTER 2010
Issue 4
FATHERS DAY 2010
Issue 4
By Crafters for Crafters
Ch
eck out our
Craft
ersDirectory
AUGUSTSUMMER 2
010
Issu
e 5
By Craf
ters fo
r Craf
ters
Chec
k out our
Crafters
Directory
CREATIVE
C
RAFTINGAU
TUM
N H
ALLO
WEE
N 201
0Is
sue
7
CREA
TIVE
CRAF
TIN
G
By Craf
ters f
or C
rafter
s
Chec
k
out our
Craft
ersDirect
ory
An
niv
ersa
ry
Issu
e
Donrsquot forget
All of our links andadverts are fullyclickable
If you would like to embed our magazine into your website blog myspace page etc you can
customise the code to suit your style and size
AUTUMN HALLOWEEN 2010
Issue 7CREATIVE CRAFTING
By Crafters for Crafters
Check out our
CraftersDirectory
Anniversary
Issue
CHRISTMAS 2010
Issue 8
By Crafters for Crafters
FATHERS DAY 2010
Issue 4
By Crafters for Crafters
Check out our
Crafters
Directory
EASTER 2010
Issue 4
By Crafters for Crafters
By Crafters for Crafters
VALENTINES 2011Issue 9
CREATIVE CRAFTING
The first item I sold online was on my Folksy shop(httpwwwfolksycomshopsLaurabyTheSea) and was a vintage ceramic andbead brooch the buyer was very pleased with it and gave me great feedback
Tell us about yourselfMy name is Laura and I live by the sea in the East of England Pakefield to be precise I live with my wonderful Brother who is a musician so we have a very creative household and in our bright conservatory I make ldquoLaura by The Seardquo jewellery (from necklaces brooches amp bracelets to ear rings and hair slides) using vintage ceramics I break vintage crockery hand sand it to ensure there are no sharp edges and make the shards into beautiful jewellery
When did your crafting begin and whyI began studying ceramics during my BA Hons degree in Fine Art at The University of Portsmouthwhich is where my obsession for vintage crockery began to grow Initially I began by making newplates and tea cups with vintage shards in but soon the beauty of the ceramic shards startedappealing to me which is when I had the idea of making jewellery out of them - and one day I justdid it and havenrsquot stopped since I just love how the cute patterns really stand out against the silverchain
What was the first item you made to sell online
What is your biggest crafting achievement and why
I think my biggest crafting achievement since starting Laura by The SeaJewellery has to be getting interviewed for the national ldquoMAKE Jewelleryrdquomagazine as their new ldquoIt accessoryrdquo designer I totally didnrsquot expect themto contact me via my Folksy store
Other than crafting what else do you like to do
In my spare time I like to paint I write I stronglybelieve it is the simple things in life that count I am a collectorof anything old with a story and pick up anything found on the seashore First morning sunshine trawling antique treasure troves walks on the sand with my pooch Sepia tones and seeing life through a lens makes me happy I do a photographyfashion blog(laurabytheseatumblrcom) and am a very sociable person These are a fewof my favourite things and yes that should include raindrops on roses andbrown paper packages tied up with string
Where would you like to be in 5 years
In 5 years time I would love to be able to do this on a full time basis tomake enough money to live I am aiming to have my jewellery sold in manyUK wide independent stores and hopefully a few abroad However theultimate dream is to have my jewellery featured in Vogue
The first item I sold online was on my Folksy shop(httpwwwfolksycomshopsLaurabyTheSea) and was a vintage ceramic andbead brooch the buyer was very pleased with it and gave me great feedback
Where does your inspiration come from
My inspiration comes from trawling antique and vintage shops photography (one of my current favphotographers is Elizabeth Sarah from America) and I am always inspired by other people When Iget talking with my friends about anything creative the juices start flowing and I get more designideas I am also inspired and work along with music (anything from RampB amp Hip-hop to Reggae andJazz I have an eclectic mix)
What are your favourite materials and why
Vintage ceramics because I adore the vintage floral prints on the crockeryand like the idea of being as eco-friendly as possible and like to only userecycled materials in my jewellery
What is favourite shop online that isnrsquot yours and why
My favourite online shop has to be Loglike a contemporary gift and home ware store with vintageelements The owner makes cute candlesticks from vintage plates and saucers that look amazing onmy coffee table (see httpwwwfolksycomshopsLoglike)
Has any person helped or supported you more than any other
I would have to say my parents and Brother Not just financially when Iwas a poor struggling student but they are supportive with everything Ido in life and I just couldnrsquot do without them My brother is more like abest friend
Tell us a random fact about yourself
I have 23 dresses in my wardrobe and have a vinyl collection of mostly 1980rsquos music (my guiltypleasure)
httpwwwfolksycomshopsLaurabyTheSea
Visit
Lauraat
in the GardenHi Irsquom Tina
Good to have you visit with me again in The GardenI think we will sit in the conservatory this morning the sun is juststreaming in it is so wonderful to feel the warmth after such a coldwinter I have the kettle on and some little iced biscuits butremember we must not over indulge me especially as I have notbeen working in the garden so much just sitting in doors munching
Well Spring is here at last and it does seem to be in a hurrythis year the crab apple is already in bud and also the fruittrees
I had my own little piece of garden and the plants therewere in my charge if I forgot to water them and theydied mother would say you have to be responsible givethem a little care and you will be rewarded with so muchbeauty and as I look around the garden today thebeauty just takes my breath awayI checked out the herbs after the winter and just look atthis monster itrsquos the parsley how great is this
Here is a photo of the willow catkins or lambs tails as mymother used to call them she was a country woman andknew every wild flower by their old country names sheloved all nature and her garden and was my inspirationfrom an early age
wwwtina-in-the-gardenblogspotcom
Also I think that this flower is really confused it is of coursean antirrhinum when I emptied the summer bedding fromthe tubs some were still fine so I planted them in thegarden and as you can see have been well rewarded Alsosome silver foliage plants which I cannot remember thename of and of course have lost thelabel they seem to think that it isalready summer
At the moment you can get into the bog it does not look half as mysterious as it does inthe summer you can even see the streamMy better half and I have one or two projects this summer well I have theideas and he makes them work howlucky am I So watch this space
Oh you have to leave well thank you again for coming be safe until your next visit withme in The Garden
Your green fingered friendTina
The bluebells are coming throughin the wood not long now beforethey flower they have to hurrybefore the trees get their leaves
Creative CraftingAdvertise with
wwwcreative-craftingcomadvertisehtml
A mouse herecould take customers
to your store
We care about yourcraft business
Prices startfrom
only pound2
There are a lot of different crafts to choose fromThis series of articles will discover some of the more unusual and also some
old world crafts that may have been almost forgotten
This article was created by
The Crystal Ladyhttpwwwmysticearthcouk
Sold by Amazon
Knitting with Dog Hairby Anne Montgomery
Contains easy step-by-step instructions for collecting cleaningstoring and spinning your dogs fur The book includes originalknitting patterns for the novice and the pro - from mittens toshawls to lace collars from your cats hair
How to Knit a Dog Hair Sweater
E-How
The brushed undercoat of a dog is called chiengora and can be used for knittingcrocheting or felting just like lambs wool or other yarn Dogs hair has been used forcenturies for weaving blankets and other coverings Dogs hair is much warmer thanwool Here is how to knit a sweater from dog hair
After the tutorial the writer goes on to leave a warning that dog hair is much warmerthan wool and an entire garment made of dog hair will be too hot to wear
I also found a very fascinating article about a lady called Laurie Moy on the Boulder DailyCamera website
Better a sweater from a dog you know and love than from a sheepyoull never meet
Warp and woof-woof Making clothes out of dog hair
Read more Boulder Daily Camera
This was discovered in an American newspaper by Creative Craftings Tinawe just had to tell you about it
I did some Googling about this and apparently there is quite alot about it I found a tutorial on the popular E-How site
Irsquom sure like me yoursquoll find this quite fascinatingIf any of our spinners out there fancy a go atcreating some yarn from their pooches we wouldlove to see some of the results It is also a greatidea for recycling all of that fluff that you areconstantly sweeping up off your sofa or yourcarpet There really is a use for most things afterall
Salt dough is so quick and easy (and therapeutic) to make endlessly adaptable a joy to sharewith the kids and has the advantage of being made from store-cupboard basics (although youcould make these projects in clay or fimo or even plasticine)The drawbacks are that it takes a while to cookpaintvarnish it will dissolve in wet or very dampconditions and will break if you drop it So allow yourself a couple of days to produce a finishedpiece and varnish thoroughly when decorated to protect against any damage
Making a Batch of Salt Dough
1 Mug of Table Salt2 Mugs of Plain FlourApprox 1 Mug of Tepid Water (Add final frac14 slowly)1 Tablespoon of Olive or Vegetable Oil (Optional)
Mix the flour and salt together in a bowlIf you are using oil (which helps to add elasticity but is optional and not necessary) add it to themug of water Add the water (with or without oil) to the salt and flour mixAdd most of the water stirring into the dry ingredients with a wooden spoon Add the last of thewater carefully as you will need more or less depending on humidity and the gradequality of theflourYou need to add enough to bind the ingredients without making it too sticky Empty onto a lightlyfloured surface and knead for at least ten minutes until the dough is smooth and slightly warm
A Few Tips for Modelling Salt DoughRoll out salt dough onto a lightly floured surface with a floured rolling pin or you could use abottle if you havent got a rolling pin Gently flattening salt dough with the heels of your hands willwork too but keep moving the dough to keep it even and turn it over to the fresh smooth sidejust before you begin cutting shapesKeep the thickness of your pieces under an inch much thicker than this and they wont hardenproperly in the middleUse a sharp knife to cut salt dough shapes but a blunt knife (or the back of a knife) is useful whenmarking lines onto the dough A scalpel or craft knife is best for cutting out intricate shapesUse pastry cutters plasticine moulds forks hair grips scrubbing brushes experiment withanything you have lying around the house
Cooking Salt DoughCook your salt dough pieces slowly in a very low oven The cooler and slower the better to preventdistortion in the cooking process These pieces were cooked at 140275 degrees or Gas Mark 1 forapproximately 2 hours but I often leave them all day in the oven at its lowest setting
Heartmade Gifts
Decorating Salt DoughYou can decorate your pieces before or after the cooking process Try adding food colouringherbs and spices tea or coffee to your dough as you knead it Or try painting your uncooked piecewith an egg wash for a lovely golden glowExperiment with various mediums on cooked pieces Gouache and acrylics work well but posterpaint is fine (if a little limited in colour variation) and you could try chalks felt tips or crayonsUse glue to add decorations including glitter sequins fabric bows tiny scraps of paper etcIts nice to leave the dough perfectly natural sometimes and sometimes a combination of naturaldough and painted areas works very wellVarnish thoroughly Any varnish will work I tend to use a spray varnish as a first coat to set thepaints then I add a few coats of a super store own brand wood varnish (If you need yourfinished piece to be especially waterproof try yacht varnish but be aware that it will tend tochange the colours making them yellowish)Use a small brush to get into all the nooks and crannies and allow each coat to dry thoroughlybefore applying the next one The more coats you apply the better protected your final pieceHowever unvarnished salt dough I have made for personal use (or the odd forgotten piece) hassurvived very well even in a slightly damp old house So dont let a lack of varnish deter you fromtrying salt dough But if you are creating a family heirloom four or five coats of a good varnish willensure it lasts for yearsTry these two Easter projects the ldquoEgg-stra Specialrdquo eggs are very quick and simple enough to dowith small children the primrose basket takes a while and is a little fiddly but well worth tryingand very easy to adapt by choosing your own flower or perhaps some other motif
~ Egg-stra Special Eggs ~
1 Form an egg shape from a small ball of dough by rolling in your hands and pressthis gently onto your baking tray(Its easier to build your salt dough pieces directly onto the tray you will use tocook them rather than try and move them while they are still uncooked I havebuilt my eggs onto the kitchen surface because it will be easier for you to see whatIm doing)
2 Roll out a piece of salt dough and use it to cover the bottom end of youregg like a blanket When you are happy with the position gently lift andrun a wet paintbrush between the two pieces to glue them together
3 Cut out an egg cup shape around your egg
4 Use a damp paintbrush to push the egg cup onto the eggand ensure it sticks
(A damp paintbrush also helps soften edges and blend any creases or cracks)
5 Uncurl an old metal paperclip and push into the dough to form a hangingloop You can use a piece of any wire I try and use paperclips or a piece of wire
coat-hanger as I like to recycle An alternative hanging method is to create a smallhole (or two holes for larger pieces) and thread a ribbon or piece of leather shoelacethrough the hole tying it to make a loop)
6 Cut out a small bow shape from a piece of flattened dough
7 Cut two ribbon ends from a rectangle of flattened dough
8 Use a wet paintbrush to layer the ribbon ends onto thetop of your egg
9 Attach the bow in position And add a small piece to the centre ofthe bow to finish
10 Cook
11 Decorate in whatever way takes your fancy hellip have fun
~ Primrose Basket ~
1 Cover a bowl in greaseproof paper and turn upside down onto your baking tray
2 Roll out some dough to approx 5mm thickness and cut into thin stripslong enough to cover your bowl
3 Lay four of these strips across the bottom ofyour bowl
4 Begin weaving four in the opposite direction by gently liftingalternate strips out of the way laying the cross strip and replacingthe lifted strips
5 Then add one strip to each side until you reach the edge of the bowl
6 Trim the edge with a knife or fold the stripsback to form a rough bowl lip You can indentsomething on the dough to secure anddecorate
7 Cook
8 Carefully remove the bowl and paper
9 Make primrose flowers and leaves and glue them to the rim with a wetpaintbrush replacing your bowl in the oven for a short whileLeaves ndash cut rough leaf shapes out of a piece of flatted dough and mark theveins and indent the edges with the back of a knifeFlowers ndash use a small heart cutter to cut 5 heart shapes and place on the rim with pointstogether indenting the centre with your fingertip and then marking with the end of a paintbrushPaint with whichever medium you prefer or have to hand I have used acrylics here leaving thebasket natural and painting the primrose leaves green and the flowers yellow adding someorange to the centres of the flowers while the yellow is still damp for a blurred effect
This article was written by Diannefrom Heartmade Gifts
Join Heartmade Gifts on Facebook
wwwheartmadegiftswordpresscom
Lilac Lace Heart LocketJewellery by Bina
Vintage Victorian StyledSweetheart Locket
Miss Bohemia
pound17
pound15
Emerald Bewitched
youmin
$40
The Bright Forest Locket
marisolspoon
$35
Cameral Locket
mydogandi
$2750
Creative CraftingFavourite
This article was created by
The Crystal Ladyhttpwwwmysticearthcouk
Lockets may sound very old fashioned but if you have a wander through thehandmade sites you will find a wealth of very modern and extremely beautifuldesigns Perfect for you to carry your loved ones with you wherever you go
Bee Joyful LocketThe Whimsical Wren
pound10
SteampunkWatch Mechanism
Locketedmdesigns
$85
Luscious LocketsLuscious Lockets
Who likes Chocolate CakeThis is a great recipe for Easter Mothers day or any other daylets admit it we all love chocolate
Ingredients
7 oz self raising flour8 oz caster sugar1 teaspoon of salt2 tablespoons of cocoa powder4 oz margarine2 eggs beaten with5 tablespoons evaporated milk5 tablespoons water1 teaspoon vanilla essence
1 Sift together flour sugar and salt and cocoa2 Rub in margarine3 Stir in eggs essence and liquids then beat well4 Grease and flour 2 8 inch cake tins divide the mixture between them5 Bake in a moderate over 325-350 F gas mark 3 about 35 minutes6 When cold sandwich together and cover in milk chocolate icing
Milk chocolate Icing
Ingredients
2 and a half oz margarine or butter4 tablespoons cocoa8 oz sieved icing sugar3 tablespoons hot milk1 teaspoon vanilla essence
Melt the margarine or butter and blend incocoa powder then stir in icing sugar milkand vanilla essence Beat until smooth andthick
We hope you all enjoy the recipe we would love to see anypictures of chocolate cakes that you make
Instructions
Instructions
Written and reviewed by Peggyrsquos Knitshttppeggyscollectionwebscom
By Sprinkles Sparkleshttpwwwsprinklessparklescouk
All prices are correct at the time of publication
Budget amp LuxurySpring special
Woodland DaffodilsCharm Bracelet
Coco Angel Rosepound1600
Spring Flower Hair ClipFlutter2me
pound450
Spring flowers broochDi Does Craft
pound800
Pink Spring Clutchfunky diva designs
pound1750
Cupcake BuntingCotton Cottage
pound1650
Purple TulipsWildrose Ridge
pound350
Chickadees and LilacsStained Glass WindowStained Glass Addie
pound4940
The Charlotte - SageRosalind Jamespound14500
Springtime 16 Crayon RollApple n Amos
pound509
Buttercup earrings in softyellow with peridot and brass
Goblins Marketpound401
Springtime DalaFolk Horse HangingDecoration - YellowCourt and Spark
pound400
D A P H N E - BrokenChina Plate Pendant
and Sterling Silver NecklaceDesigns by Mila
pound2228
To make the leaves
Using DK yarn and 300 mm hook make 5 leaves as follows
Rnd 1 9ch dc in 2nd ch 1htr in next ch 1tr in each of next 6ch 3ch ss in base of last tr worked
Now work on opposite side of stitches by turning the work
Rnd 2 3ch 1tr in each of next 6ch 1htr in next ch dc ss in top of first stFasten off and sew in loose ends
Materials
Small quantity of DK yarn I have used a yarn with awool-mix but any DK yarn of your choice will be suitableSmall quantity of kid mohair yarn (use two strands together)300 mm hook200 mm hookOne large buttonBrooch pinSewing needle
To make the small rose
Using a 200 mm hook and working two strands of kid mohair yarn together 13ch
Rnd 1 1tr 2ch 1tr in 4th ch (skip 2ch 1tr 2ch 1tr in next ch) 3 times (4 v- spaces)
Rnd 2 3ch 6tr into next v-space 1dc into space between v-spaces Continue with 6tr into eachv-space and 1dc in between spaces until end ss into last ch Fasten off
Roll the work with fingers from start to finish to create a small rose flower and sew together at thebase
Assembling the brooch
Turn the flower so the right side is facing up and sew the button in the centre of the flowerAttach the rose to the centre of the button as shown in diagram Sew a brooch pin to the back of theflower to complete the brooch
Arrange the 5 leaves to form a circle so thecorners of the leaves are touching Sew eachcorner together to form the petals of aflower
Turn the work so the wrong side is facing upand close the hole by sewing together withthe same DK yarn used to make the leaves
Crochet Flower Brooch
ch - chain stitchdc - double crochethtr - half treble crochetss - slip stitchtr - treble crochetst - stitch
Crochet Mobile PhoneiPod Cosy
Materials
50g Dk yarn in mustard colourSmall quantity of DK yarn in bright pink for picot edgingof cosy and small roseSmall quantity of DK yarn in sage green for leaves of roseflowerSize 300mm hook
Instructions for the cosy
The cosy can be made to fit a mobile phoneiPod of your choice
Pattern note the pattern is worked in dc throughout and worked in the round using the tapestrycrochet method of crochet This involves carrying a second yarn below the first making it verystrong
Foundation row
Using one strand of DK yarn in mustard make a chain that measures the width of your mobilephoneipod
Rnd 1 dc across row until the last chain 2dc in last chain Turn work
Rnd 2 Begin to carry a second strand of mustard yarn throughouteach round and every round from now on This yarn is not worked butcarried below the first strand of yarn
Work along the opposite side of the row just worked 1dc in first ch1ch in each chain until the last chain 2dc in last chain Now mark thelast stitch just worked with a different colour yarn so you can see theend of the round and keep moving this marker up to the last stitchworked
Rnd 3 Dc in each chain around working in spirals moving the stitchmarker as the piece grows Continue until the work measures thedesired length to fit the mobileiPod Fasten off and tie in loose ends
ch - chain stitchdc - double crochethtr - half treble crochetss - slip stitchtr - treble crochetst - stitch
Instructions for rose flower
Rnd 1 Using DK yarn in bright pink 1tr 2ch 1tr in 4th ch (skip 2ch1tr 2ch 1tr in next ch) 3 times (4 v- spaces)
Rnd 2 3ch 6tr into next v-space 1dc into space between v-spacesContinue with 6tr into each v-space and 1dc in between spaces untilend ss into last ch Fasten off
Roll the work with fingers from start to finish to create a small rose flower and sew together at thebase
Instructions for leaves
Using DK yarn and 300mm hook make 2 leaves as follows
Rnd 1 5ch dc in 2nd ch 1htr in next ch 1tr in each of next 2ch 3ch ss in base of last tr workedNow work on opposite side of stitches by turning the work
Rnd 2 3ch 1tr in each of next 2 ch 1htr in next ch dc ss in top of first st Fasten off and sew inloose ends
Assembly
Sew the leaves to the reverse of the rose and attach to the cosy as shown in the picture
Picot edging
Rnd 1 Using DK yarn in bright pink dc into each stitch around the edge of the cosy opening ss tofirst dc
Rnd 2 3ch ss into 2nd chain from hook ss into base of 3ch dc into next 2ch 3ch continuefrom to ss into last ch Fasten off and sew in loose ends
Written by Andrea Lesley Crochethttpwwwfolksycomshopsandrealesleycrochet
Materials
T - shirt - colour your choiceScissorsChainSewing needle and threadCorsage or embellishments
Step 1 First get a plain whitet-shirt
Step 2 Then cut off the neck Step 3 Now sew two pieces of chain to each side of where theneckline should be
Step 4 Cut a triangle out ofthe bottom of the t-shirt
Step 5 Tie the two ends thatare left into a knot or bow
Step 6 Finally add a corsageor flower to the front
Step 7 Now you have a bang on trend crop top simply wear over a vest top I loved designing andgokking up this t-shirt it took minutes and didnt cost a lot either
Corsage made by Madam SalamihttpwwwetsycomshopMadamSalami
Written By Heidi Jackson
Favourite finds from around the crafting communityThis months focus is Easter and Spring
Click on the images to take you to their store
Online StreetMISI
Ring With A FlowerBlue Fish Handmade
pound800
Spring necklace in glassand sterling silver
RosieJo Jewellerypound1275
Easter Eggs CardNaomi Constable
pound250
FOLKSY
Easter rabbit cushionwith choccie eggs
Phoebelinas Treasurespound500
Easter Knitted BagsFluerette
pound300
Small Gorgeous FeltSpring Bouquets
Spare Minute Productionspound2000
WOW THANK YOU
Green And Brown PetalFlower Bracelet
Sprinkles Sparklespound3750 inc pampp
Handmade Pink Canvas Wall Art(Set of 3)
Craft on Canvaspound3900 inc pampp
Blue Easter ChickDharmapaintings
pound12 20 inc pampp
All prices correct at the time of publication
Favourite finds from around the crafting communityThis months focus is Easter and Spring
Click on the images to take you to their store
Best PicksUGLY BE GONE
Handpainted DottyDolly Pegs
Ticketty Boopound650
Quirky Motifs ShopperRachael Taylor
pound1500
Collette the Cow BibBaby Boutique
pound1100
The Cutie Pie - recycledpaper butterfly shadow boxThe WingSpan Collection
pound6421
Easter 1 Square PendantHappy Easter Spring Flowers
Miss Gooseberry Pendantspound321
ETSY
RETROEasterplastic springfling daisy clip-on earringsamber brown makes art
pound208ARTFIRE
Easter Egg Mini Cards 2x2 6Peculiar Parchment
pound170
Spring Chicks - Little FusedGlass Dish - Easter Gift
First Light Glasspound926
4 Chocolate Easter ParadeBunny Lollipops extra large
Candy Cottagepound741
All prices correct at the time of publication
What you will need3 x 10 inch lengths of purple Cylon cord10mm silver plated lobster clasp and clasp tag2 x silver plated fold over necklace endsApprox 24 Rose Quartz gemstone chip beads(holes need to be large enough to thread onelength of the cylon cord though)2 x 4mm silver plated jump rings
Rose Quartz is the stone of unconditionalloveIt purifies and opens the heart helping thewearer to love themselves as well as others
Rose Quartz draws off negative energy andhelps release unexpressed emotions
Encourages self forgiveness and acceptanceaids self trust and self worth
I find it easier to use a macrame board for making this type of bracelet as it make it easier tokeep the design neat but its not essential I use a simple board made from a cork notice boardand pins I also use nylon nosed pliers to fold over the necklace ends as I find metal pliers oftenleave marks but again they arent essential
Step 2 Thread a chip bead onto each of the outer lengths ofcord
Step 3 Cross the outer cordsover the middle one as youwould in a braid Then braid thecords again
Step 1 Attach one of thenecklace ends to one end ofthe three lengths of CyloncordYou can then use the hole inthe end to attach the braceletto your board
Make a Rose Quartz Bracelet
Step 6 Attach the secondnecklace end to the three cordwithout cutting them as it makesit easier The ends can then betrimmed with a craft knife orsharp scissors
Step 7 Using the jump ringsattach the clasp to one end ofthe bracelet and the clasp tagto the other
Step 4 Thread two chip beadson to the new outer lengths ofcord and braid as in the previousstep
Step 5 Repeat step three and four untilthe bracelet reaches seven inchesor your desired length
(The clasp section will measureapproximately one inch)
If the cord ends become frayed they canbe fixed with a little super glue
Step 8 And there you areOne finished rose quartzbracelet
Would you like to share a craft project with Creative Crafting
Let us know what project you would like toshare with us
Anything from jewellery knitting and crochetcrafts paper crafts or a craft you feel hasbeen forgotten about
Email thecrystalladycreative-craftingcom
Written by Elderberry Artshttpwwwelderberryartscouk
To those who are not yet aware Prince William and Kate Middleton will tie the knot this month onFriday 29th April in a quiet little ceremony at Westminster Abbey To some this may mean getting aday off to celebrate the nuptials or actually attend the whole affair To others like myself who areself-employed there will be no day off and hence little difference from a normal day but we can stillbe happy for the two love birds entering a state of marital bliss for the first timeIn these uncertain economic times I am not sure how the Royal Wedding will affect the economyhow much money will people want to spend Will this mean street parties like those that dominatemany peoplersquos memories from Prince Charles and Dianarsquos wedding back in 1981 Will there be arush to purchase ridiculously crass lsquosouvenirrsquo mugs plates tea towels or will the market just not bethere at all with all the unsold Royal Wedding goods in the pound shops by JuneThe handmade and crafting sector needs to be aware of the sales potential created by this Royalevent and so products should be made available to support the celebrations and possibly make thecountry feel good about itself again Maybe a lovely warm spring day in April will be good for thecountry and make it forget its economic woes for a few hoursWe asked a number of our sellers about their experience of the last big Royal Wedding (Charles andDiana) and what they are going to do this time to celebrate There were mixed feelings ndash manywere too young to remember much about the 1981 event and even though I remember a day offfrom school I cannot remember any street parties or spontaneous Mardi Gras This time around Ithink money will be a big factor and most people will not stray too far from a bit of home baking inred white and blue and also a show of patriotic bunting Union Jacks are quite the lsquoin thingrsquo at themoment for interior design and so a patriotic statement may double as being hip and trendy
Kim Lampard of Zigzag Bunting thinks a great way tocelebrate the Royal Wedding is to make your own buntingShe suggests pulling together a pile of fabrics that you nolonger need but that hold cherished memories for you forexample your daughterrsquos first cute dress a tea-towel youbought on a special holiday an old bedspread made by your
Granny Even if the items are damaged so cannot be passed on to others there is always a littlecorner that can be cut up into a triangle to make a bunting flag Mix a few of these together and ifyou have enough for a colour scheme (such as red white and blue) fine but donrsquot worry the flagsdonrsquot even need to be the same size Sometimes a shabby chic lsquoMix and Matchrsquo approach turns outto be perfect Sew the fabric triangles onto a piece of ribbon or bias tape and you will have awonderful string of bunting to decorate for the special day You and your family will remember notonly the Royal Wedding when you bring out that bunting but have extra glimpses of their past inthe fabrics Definitely a memento to cherish
Gaye Weekes of A amp V Designs now lives in Snowdonia North Wales and onlyan hour away from Anglesey where the Royal couple will begin their marriedlife She has no doubt had that His Highness has been hovering over theirremote valley in his helicopter over recent months Gaye plans to be flying redwhite and green Welsh bunting for the wedding Her bunting is made fromvintage fabric from the 1950s and 1960s - a cotton heavy woven greenand cream floral and a jolly red and white gingham She adds ldquo
rdquo
This article was written by
from
httpwwwwowthankyoucouk
Karine Ait-Mohamed of The Pink Fairy Cake isFrench but now lives in England She says ldquo
rdquo In the spirit of the occasion Karinehas produced a product that combines both England and France into the celebration Shehas produced sets of two Union Jack hearts filled with lavender from Chateau la Gabelle inHaute-Provence
Lisa MacDonald of LisaMollyMacDonaldis quite enthusiastic about the weddingand getting caught up in the glamour of the
occasion ldquo
rdquo
Lou Carswell of Loubie Jewels has some prettyfantastic red white and blue jewellery which wouldbe suitable for a Royal wedding celebration She told
us ldquo
rdquo
So what can we gather from these observations It will be a nice idea to celebrate the RoyalWedding If we apply a little lsquowartimersquo austerity (handmade lends itself to recycling andupcycling) we shouldnrsquot have to spend a fortune We can step back from commercialism andbe involved in a low key but meaningful way that will make the event more memorable for itssimplicity and just a little thrift God Bless William and Kate
Tell us about yourself
My name is Sandra Ritchie I live in Cleethorpes UK with my husbandJason my 10 year old daughter Alisha my 2 year old son Alfred andour dog Dumbledore Primarily I am a housewife but in my sparetime I make jewellery of all kinds from beaded pieces to metal workbut mainly I make custom-made bespoke precious metal jewellery
When did your crafting begin and why
Many years ago I studied Jewellery and Metal Art at college andover time Ive collected the tools I needed but never got round tosetting up a workroom until 2009 when my Husband pointed outthat our Utility Room would be perfect for me to set up as aworkroom to start making jewellery again It seemed ideal Ialready had people interested in me making them some jewelleryand it meant I could stay at home and look after the children as wellas try to establish a name for myself as a Jewellery designermaker
What was the first item you made to sell online
The first item I made to sell whilst not specifically to sell online was asilver octopus necklace commissioned by an acquaintance of mine thathad seen the silver octopus necklace that I made for myself whilst atcollege and wanted one like it She has since purchased the silver andcopper entwined Dragon necklace and a commissioned silver Dragonand is back on my list for another piece to be made My number onefan I think
What is your biggest crafting achievement and why
I love all the pieces Ive created especially my Custom work but myfavourite piece of all is the Greenman necklace I was approached tomake something as a surprise for someone and was basically giventhe opportunity to produce something different to my usual pieces Ilove making pieces that are based on peoples ideas of what theywant that is really special but the Greenman necklace was mydesign based on what the customer wanted it to represent I had toteach myself etching for the piece as its something Id never learntand Im really pleased with how it worked out
Other than crafting what else do you like to do
I love spending time with my children and family I love baking andcooking too and I suppose I should admit to enjoying the oddrelaxing glass (or bottle) of nice wine when the children are in bed
wwwlittlefairycultcouk
Where would you like to be in 5 years
In 5 years time Id love to be in a better financial position so I canbuy silver and make silver jewellery to sell that isnt just Custom-made Ive started sneaking a few pieces of precious metal jewellerythat are for general sale onto my site
Where does your inspiration come from
My inspiration is usually from the customers themselves They tell mewhat it is they want and I design a piece to reflect that Sometimes theyalter the design slightly to reflect more of how they want it and that isfine For my bead jewellery its usually what beads I have in myworkroom that inspire my beaded pieces I very rarely buy beads for thereason that I have a design idea and usually just buy mixed lots of beadsand work with what I have
What are your favourite materials and why
I really love working with precious metals There is somethinguniquely satisfying about taking a flat sheet of metal and turning itinto a beautiful piece of jewellery Thats why I take pictures of thepieces as I am making them so that other people and the customerwhos item it is can enjoy seeing it progress from a blank piece ofprecious metal into the finished piece
What is favourite shop online that isnrsquot yours and why
Oh my There are so many amazing websites offering beautiful andunique handmade items but I will always take a look at Etsy to see ifthere is anything that catches my eye on there They have such a largevariety of designerssellers making almost everything but the kitchen sink(though I bet if you looked hard enough youd find one on there) Ireally enjoy the little treasuries they do too where you can browse aselection of items that are grouped together by themes
Has any person helped or supported you more than any other
I have had a lot of support from the good friends I have gained on Twitter and of coursemy real life friends have been extremely supportive too but the main reason I actuallysorted out my workroom (or corner of the utility room) was due to my husband insistingthat I start making jewellery again Luckily his insistence and support paid off virtuallystraight away when a friend asked for the octopus necklace I mentioned earlier to bemade
Tell us a random fact about yourself
I have known the sex of each child and whether Id be carrying one or more before I evenconceived them Fairly random but fact nevertheless
Kit includes seed beads 5 x handmade glass beads choker wire x 3 banglewire x 2 ring wire x 3 jewellery pliers beading mat instructions
Makes 8 fabulous and individual pieces of jewellery without the need forfiddly findings books or other money-wasters
Beaded Jewellery Kitpound12Japan Crafts
A coordinating selection of beads plus step-by-step full colour instructions to make your own version of the Jungle Collar design Learn how to work peyote stitch edge it with drops and embellish it with a lush fringe and beaded flowers and leaves Let your beading imagination run wild
Each kit is hand-picked and slightly different so the beads you receive may not be the exact onesshown in the photograph but you can be certain that your necklace will be uniqueThe kit comes carefully packaged in a handy reusable storage box the only things yoursquoll need inaddition are a beading needle a spool of nylon beading thread and some sharp scissors
Beadweaving Kit for Jungle Collar
pound38Lynn Davy
Fairy Earrings Jewellery Making Kit - Ages 7yrs+
pound5Jewellery Making Kits
These single kits are fabulous for all crafty and creative girls They also make great presents for school friends nieces sisters or even grown ups Each kit includes Sterling Silver earwires or studs a small selection of flowers for the skirt a pair of wings a few coloured glass pearls for the heads silver headpin Organza Bag Full set of instructionsSuitable for ages 7 years and up Requires a pair of pliers to finish off - all instructions included
Bracelet Kit - Chunky Swarovski Pearl and Crystal with Toggle Clasp
pound750Wonderstuff Craft Kits
A little kit of bronze Swarovski pearls and Golden Shadow Swarovski crystals silk and toggle clasp
Kit includes 11 x Swarovski 12mm Pearls Colour - Soft Bronze 3 x Swarovski Crystal 8mm Rondelles - Colour - Golden Shadow 8 x Swarovski Crystal 4mmBicones Colour - Light Colorado Topaz 1 x Silver Plated Toggle Bar 1 x Silver plated Toggle RingBracelet length of threading silk Instructions
This kit contains top quality beads to make an exquisite braceletno special tools are needed
Jewellery making kits
from the small crafterWersquove found a selection of wonderful beading kits for allages and experience These are not massed producedsets but offered by the small crafter
This article was created by The Crystal Lady httpwwwmysticearthcouk
This Months
This months lsquoMan of the Monthrsquo is Ade (Adrian)EdmondsonChosen by MegampMillie
This months lsquoLady of the Monthrsquo is GwenStefaniChosen by Claire Pearcy from Elderberry Arts
httpwwwgwenstefanicom
httpwwwunrealitytvcouklets-dance-for-comic-relieflets-dance-for-comic-relief-results-ade-edmondson-and-eighties-super-group-make-next-weeks-final
(Nothing like an April Fools)
This months lsquoBlog of the Month Awardrsquo goes to lsquoItrsquos All Fiddle Fartrsquo
httpitsallfiddlefartblogspotcom
This months lsquoShop of the Month Awardrsquo goes to lsquoJulias DriftwoodFurniturersquo
httpwwwfolksycomshopsseasandview123
ww
wc
reativ
e-cr
afting
co
mw
ww
cr
eative-c
on
nec
tion
snin
gc
om
CREATIVE CRAFTING
Our next issue will be available to read on
1st June 2010If you have missed any of our issues you
can find them to read on our websitewwwcreative-craftingcom
And also on our Social Network Creative Connectionswwwcreative-connectionsningcom
To advertise in Creative Crafting or to submit an article please contact Annaat thecrystalladycreative-craftingcom
AUGUSTSUMMER 2010
Issue 5
By Crafters for Crafters
Check out our
CraftersDirectory
CREATIVE CRAFTING
By Crafters for Crafters
Issue 3
ValentinesMothers Day 2010
HandcraftedWeddingSpecial
Valentine ampMothers Day
Projects
Have youbeen
featured
By Crafters for Crafters
Issue 3ValentinesMothers Day 2010
Handcrafted
Wedding
SpecialValentine amp
Mothers Day
ProjectsHave you
been
featured
By
EASTER 2010
Issue 4
FATHERS DAY 2010
Issue 4
By Crafters for Crafters
Ch
eck out our
Craft
ersDirectory
AUGUSTSUMMER 2
010
Issu
e 5
By Craf
ters fo
r Craf
ters
Chec
k out our
Crafters
Directory
CREATIVE
C
RAFTINGAU
TUM
N H
ALLO
WEE
N 201
0Is
sue
7
CREA
TIVE
CRAF
TIN
G
By Craf
ters f
or C
rafter
s
Chec
k
out our
Craft
ersDirect
ory
An
niv
ersa
ry
Issu
e
Donrsquot forget
All of our links andadverts are fullyclickable
If you would like to embed our magazine into your website blog myspace page etc you can
customise the code to suit your style and size
AUTUMN HALLOWEEN 2010
Issue 7CREATIVE CRAFTING
By Crafters for Crafters
Check out our
CraftersDirectory
Anniversary
Issue
CHRISTMAS 2010
Issue 8
By Crafters for Crafters
FATHERS DAY 2010
Issue 4
By Crafters for Crafters
Check out our
Crafters
Directory
EASTER 2010
Issue 4
By Crafters for Crafters
By Crafters for Crafters
VALENTINES 2011Issue 9
CREATIVE CRAFTING
Where does your inspiration come from
My inspiration comes from trawling antique and vintage shops photography (one of my current favphotographers is Elizabeth Sarah from America) and I am always inspired by other people When Iget talking with my friends about anything creative the juices start flowing and I get more designideas I am also inspired and work along with music (anything from RampB amp Hip-hop to Reggae andJazz I have an eclectic mix)
What are your favourite materials and why
Vintage ceramics because I adore the vintage floral prints on the crockeryand like the idea of being as eco-friendly as possible and like to only userecycled materials in my jewellery
What is favourite shop online that isnrsquot yours and why
My favourite online shop has to be Loglike a contemporary gift and home ware store with vintageelements The owner makes cute candlesticks from vintage plates and saucers that look amazing onmy coffee table (see httpwwwfolksycomshopsLoglike)
Has any person helped or supported you more than any other
I would have to say my parents and Brother Not just financially when Iwas a poor struggling student but they are supportive with everything Ido in life and I just couldnrsquot do without them My brother is more like abest friend
Tell us a random fact about yourself
I have 23 dresses in my wardrobe and have a vinyl collection of mostly 1980rsquos music (my guiltypleasure)
httpwwwfolksycomshopsLaurabyTheSea
Visit
Lauraat
in the GardenHi Irsquom Tina
Good to have you visit with me again in The GardenI think we will sit in the conservatory this morning the sun is juststreaming in it is so wonderful to feel the warmth after such a coldwinter I have the kettle on and some little iced biscuits butremember we must not over indulge me especially as I have notbeen working in the garden so much just sitting in doors munching
Well Spring is here at last and it does seem to be in a hurrythis year the crab apple is already in bud and also the fruittrees
I had my own little piece of garden and the plants therewere in my charge if I forgot to water them and theydied mother would say you have to be responsible givethem a little care and you will be rewarded with so muchbeauty and as I look around the garden today thebeauty just takes my breath awayI checked out the herbs after the winter and just look atthis monster itrsquos the parsley how great is this
Here is a photo of the willow catkins or lambs tails as mymother used to call them she was a country woman andknew every wild flower by their old country names sheloved all nature and her garden and was my inspirationfrom an early age
wwwtina-in-the-gardenblogspotcom
Also I think that this flower is really confused it is of coursean antirrhinum when I emptied the summer bedding fromthe tubs some were still fine so I planted them in thegarden and as you can see have been well rewarded Alsosome silver foliage plants which I cannot remember thename of and of course have lost thelabel they seem to think that it isalready summer
At the moment you can get into the bog it does not look half as mysterious as it does inthe summer you can even see the streamMy better half and I have one or two projects this summer well I have theideas and he makes them work howlucky am I So watch this space
Oh you have to leave well thank you again for coming be safe until your next visit withme in The Garden
Your green fingered friendTina
The bluebells are coming throughin the wood not long now beforethey flower they have to hurrybefore the trees get their leaves
Creative CraftingAdvertise with
wwwcreative-craftingcomadvertisehtml
A mouse herecould take customers
to your store
We care about yourcraft business
Prices startfrom
only pound2
There are a lot of different crafts to choose fromThis series of articles will discover some of the more unusual and also some
old world crafts that may have been almost forgotten
This article was created by
The Crystal Ladyhttpwwwmysticearthcouk
Sold by Amazon
Knitting with Dog Hairby Anne Montgomery
Contains easy step-by-step instructions for collecting cleaningstoring and spinning your dogs fur The book includes originalknitting patterns for the novice and the pro - from mittens toshawls to lace collars from your cats hair
How to Knit a Dog Hair Sweater
E-How
The brushed undercoat of a dog is called chiengora and can be used for knittingcrocheting or felting just like lambs wool or other yarn Dogs hair has been used forcenturies for weaving blankets and other coverings Dogs hair is much warmer thanwool Here is how to knit a sweater from dog hair
After the tutorial the writer goes on to leave a warning that dog hair is much warmerthan wool and an entire garment made of dog hair will be too hot to wear
I also found a very fascinating article about a lady called Laurie Moy on the Boulder DailyCamera website
Better a sweater from a dog you know and love than from a sheepyoull never meet
Warp and woof-woof Making clothes out of dog hair
Read more Boulder Daily Camera
This was discovered in an American newspaper by Creative Craftings Tinawe just had to tell you about it
I did some Googling about this and apparently there is quite alot about it I found a tutorial on the popular E-How site
Irsquom sure like me yoursquoll find this quite fascinatingIf any of our spinners out there fancy a go atcreating some yarn from their pooches we wouldlove to see some of the results It is also a greatidea for recycling all of that fluff that you areconstantly sweeping up off your sofa or yourcarpet There really is a use for most things afterall
Salt dough is so quick and easy (and therapeutic) to make endlessly adaptable a joy to sharewith the kids and has the advantage of being made from store-cupboard basics (although youcould make these projects in clay or fimo or even plasticine)The drawbacks are that it takes a while to cookpaintvarnish it will dissolve in wet or very dampconditions and will break if you drop it So allow yourself a couple of days to produce a finishedpiece and varnish thoroughly when decorated to protect against any damage
Making a Batch of Salt Dough
1 Mug of Table Salt2 Mugs of Plain FlourApprox 1 Mug of Tepid Water (Add final frac14 slowly)1 Tablespoon of Olive or Vegetable Oil (Optional)
Mix the flour and salt together in a bowlIf you are using oil (which helps to add elasticity but is optional and not necessary) add it to themug of water Add the water (with or without oil) to the salt and flour mixAdd most of the water stirring into the dry ingredients with a wooden spoon Add the last of thewater carefully as you will need more or less depending on humidity and the gradequality of theflourYou need to add enough to bind the ingredients without making it too sticky Empty onto a lightlyfloured surface and knead for at least ten minutes until the dough is smooth and slightly warm
A Few Tips for Modelling Salt DoughRoll out salt dough onto a lightly floured surface with a floured rolling pin or you could use abottle if you havent got a rolling pin Gently flattening salt dough with the heels of your hands willwork too but keep moving the dough to keep it even and turn it over to the fresh smooth sidejust before you begin cutting shapesKeep the thickness of your pieces under an inch much thicker than this and they wont hardenproperly in the middleUse a sharp knife to cut salt dough shapes but a blunt knife (or the back of a knife) is useful whenmarking lines onto the dough A scalpel or craft knife is best for cutting out intricate shapesUse pastry cutters plasticine moulds forks hair grips scrubbing brushes experiment withanything you have lying around the house
Cooking Salt DoughCook your salt dough pieces slowly in a very low oven The cooler and slower the better to preventdistortion in the cooking process These pieces were cooked at 140275 degrees or Gas Mark 1 forapproximately 2 hours but I often leave them all day in the oven at its lowest setting
Heartmade Gifts
Decorating Salt DoughYou can decorate your pieces before or after the cooking process Try adding food colouringherbs and spices tea or coffee to your dough as you knead it Or try painting your uncooked piecewith an egg wash for a lovely golden glowExperiment with various mediums on cooked pieces Gouache and acrylics work well but posterpaint is fine (if a little limited in colour variation) and you could try chalks felt tips or crayonsUse glue to add decorations including glitter sequins fabric bows tiny scraps of paper etcIts nice to leave the dough perfectly natural sometimes and sometimes a combination of naturaldough and painted areas works very wellVarnish thoroughly Any varnish will work I tend to use a spray varnish as a first coat to set thepaints then I add a few coats of a super store own brand wood varnish (If you need yourfinished piece to be especially waterproof try yacht varnish but be aware that it will tend tochange the colours making them yellowish)Use a small brush to get into all the nooks and crannies and allow each coat to dry thoroughlybefore applying the next one The more coats you apply the better protected your final pieceHowever unvarnished salt dough I have made for personal use (or the odd forgotten piece) hassurvived very well even in a slightly damp old house So dont let a lack of varnish deter you fromtrying salt dough But if you are creating a family heirloom four or five coats of a good varnish willensure it lasts for yearsTry these two Easter projects the ldquoEgg-stra Specialrdquo eggs are very quick and simple enough to dowith small children the primrose basket takes a while and is a little fiddly but well worth tryingand very easy to adapt by choosing your own flower or perhaps some other motif
~ Egg-stra Special Eggs ~
1 Form an egg shape from a small ball of dough by rolling in your hands and pressthis gently onto your baking tray(Its easier to build your salt dough pieces directly onto the tray you will use tocook them rather than try and move them while they are still uncooked I havebuilt my eggs onto the kitchen surface because it will be easier for you to see whatIm doing)
2 Roll out a piece of salt dough and use it to cover the bottom end of youregg like a blanket When you are happy with the position gently lift andrun a wet paintbrush between the two pieces to glue them together
3 Cut out an egg cup shape around your egg
4 Use a damp paintbrush to push the egg cup onto the eggand ensure it sticks
(A damp paintbrush also helps soften edges and blend any creases or cracks)
5 Uncurl an old metal paperclip and push into the dough to form a hangingloop You can use a piece of any wire I try and use paperclips or a piece of wire
coat-hanger as I like to recycle An alternative hanging method is to create a smallhole (or two holes for larger pieces) and thread a ribbon or piece of leather shoelacethrough the hole tying it to make a loop)
6 Cut out a small bow shape from a piece of flattened dough
7 Cut two ribbon ends from a rectangle of flattened dough
8 Use a wet paintbrush to layer the ribbon ends onto thetop of your egg
9 Attach the bow in position And add a small piece to the centre ofthe bow to finish
10 Cook
11 Decorate in whatever way takes your fancy hellip have fun
~ Primrose Basket ~
1 Cover a bowl in greaseproof paper and turn upside down onto your baking tray
2 Roll out some dough to approx 5mm thickness and cut into thin stripslong enough to cover your bowl
3 Lay four of these strips across the bottom ofyour bowl
4 Begin weaving four in the opposite direction by gently liftingalternate strips out of the way laying the cross strip and replacingthe lifted strips
5 Then add one strip to each side until you reach the edge of the bowl
6 Trim the edge with a knife or fold the stripsback to form a rough bowl lip You can indentsomething on the dough to secure anddecorate
7 Cook
8 Carefully remove the bowl and paper
9 Make primrose flowers and leaves and glue them to the rim with a wetpaintbrush replacing your bowl in the oven for a short whileLeaves ndash cut rough leaf shapes out of a piece of flatted dough and mark theveins and indent the edges with the back of a knifeFlowers ndash use a small heart cutter to cut 5 heart shapes and place on the rim with pointstogether indenting the centre with your fingertip and then marking with the end of a paintbrushPaint with whichever medium you prefer or have to hand I have used acrylics here leaving thebasket natural and painting the primrose leaves green and the flowers yellow adding someorange to the centres of the flowers while the yellow is still damp for a blurred effect
This article was written by Diannefrom Heartmade Gifts
Join Heartmade Gifts on Facebook
wwwheartmadegiftswordpresscom
Lilac Lace Heart LocketJewellery by Bina
Vintage Victorian StyledSweetheart Locket
Miss Bohemia
pound17
pound15
Emerald Bewitched
youmin
$40
The Bright Forest Locket
marisolspoon
$35
Cameral Locket
mydogandi
$2750
Creative CraftingFavourite
This article was created by
The Crystal Ladyhttpwwwmysticearthcouk
Lockets may sound very old fashioned but if you have a wander through thehandmade sites you will find a wealth of very modern and extremely beautifuldesigns Perfect for you to carry your loved ones with you wherever you go
Bee Joyful LocketThe Whimsical Wren
pound10
SteampunkWatch Mechanism
Locketedmdesigns
$85
Luscious LocketsLuscious Lockets
Who likes Chocolate CakeThis is a great recipe for Easter Mothers day or any other daylets admit it we all love chocolate
Ingredients
7 oz self raising flour8 oz caster sugar1 teaspoon of salt2 tablespoons of cocoa powder4 oz margarine2 eggs beaten with5 tablespoons evaporated milk5 tablespoons water1 teaspoon vanilla essence
1 Sift together flour sugar and salt and cocoa2 Rub in margarine3 Stir in eggs essence and liquids then beat well4 Grease and flour 2 8 inch cake tins divide the mixture between them5 Bake in a moderate over 325-350 F gas mark 3 about 35 minutes6 When cold sandwich together and cover in milk chocolate icing
Milk chocolate Icing
Ingredients
2 and a half oz margarine or butter4 tablespoons cocoa8 oz sieved icing sugar3 tablespoons hot milk1 teaspoon vanilla essence
Melt the margarine or butter and blend incocoa powder then stir in icing sugar milkand vanilla essence Beat until smooth andthick
We hope you all enjoy the recipe we would love to see anypictures of chocolate cakes that you make
Instructions
Instructions
Written and reviewed by Peggyrsquos Knitshttppeggyscollectionwebscom
By Sprinkles Sparkleshttpwwwsprinklessparklescouk
All prices are correct at the time of publication
Budget amp LuxurySpring special
Woodland DaffodilsCharm Bracelet
Coco Angel Rosepound1600
Spring Flower Hair ClipFlutter2me
pound450
Spring flowers broochDi Does Craft
pound800
Pink Spring Clutchfunky diva designs
pound1750
Cupcake BuntingCotton Cottage
pound1650
Purple TulipsWildrose Ridge
pound350
Chickadees and LilacsStained Glass WindowStained Glass Addie
pound4940
The Charlotte - SageRosalind Jamespound14500
Springtime 16 Crayon RollApple n Amos
pound509
Buttercup earrings in softyellow with peridot and brass
Goblins Marketpound401
Springtime DalaFolk Horse HangingDecoration - YellowCourt and Spark
pound400
D A P H N E - BrokenChina Plate Pendant
and Sterling Silver NecklaceDesigns by Mila
pound2228
To make the leaves
Using DK yarn and 300 mm hook make 5 leaves as follows
Rnd 1 9ch dc in 2nd ch 1htr in next ch 1tr in each of next 6ch 3ch ss in base of last tr worked
Now work on opposite side of stitches by turning the work
Rnd 2 3ch 1tr in each of next 6ch 1htr in next ch dc ss in top of first stFasten off and sew in loose ends
Materials
Small quantity of DK yarn I have used a yarn with awool-mix but any DK yarn of your choice will be suitableSmall quantity of kid mohair yarn (use two strands together)300 mm hook200 mm hookOne large buttonBrooch pinSewing needle
To make the small rose
Using a 200 mm hook and working two strands of kid mohair yarn together 13ch
Rnd 1 1tr 2ch 1tr in 4th ch (skip 2ch 1tr 2ch 1tr in next ch) 3 times (4 v- spaces)
Rnd 2 3ch 6tr into next v-space 1dc into space between v-spaces Continue with 6tr into eachv-space and 1dc in between spaces until end ss into last ch Fasten off
Roll the work with fingers from start to finish to create a small rose flower and sew together at thebase
Assembling the brooch
Turn the flower so the right side is facing up and sew the button in the centre of the flowerAttach the rose to the centre of the button as shown in diagram Sew a brooch pin to the back of theflower to complete the brooch
Arrange the 5 leaves to form a circle so thecorners of the leaves are touching Sew eachcorner together to form the petals of aflower
Turn the work so the wrong side is facing upand close the hole by sewing together withthe same DK yarn used to make the leaves
Crochet Flower Brooch
ch - chain stitchdc - double crochethtr - half treble crochetss - slip stitchtr - treble crochetst - stitch
Crochet Mobile PhoneiPod Cosy
Materials
50g Dk yarn in mustard colourSmall quantity of DK yarn in bright pink for picot edgingof cosy and small roseSmall quantity of DK yarn in sage green for leaves of roseflowerSize 300mm hook
Instructions for the cosy
The cosy can be made to fit a mobile phoneiPod of your choice
Pattern note the pattern is worked in dc throughout and worked in the round using the tapestrycrochet method of crochet This involves carrying a second yarn below the first making it verystrong
Foundation row
Using one strand of DK yarn in mustard make a chain that measures the width of your mobilephoneipod
Rnd 1 dc across row until the last chain 2dc in last chain Turn work
Rnd 2 Begin to carry a second strand of mustard yarn throughouteach round and every round from now on This yarn is not worked butcarried below the first strand of yarn
Work along the opposite side of the row just worked 1dc in first ch1ch in each chain until the last chain 2dc in last chain Now mark thelast stitch just worked with a different colour yarn so you can see theend of the round and keep moving this marker up to the last stitchworked
Rnd 3 Dc in each chain around working in spirals moving the stitchmarker as the piece grows Continue until the work measures thedesired length to fit the mobileiPod Fasten off and tie in loose ends
ch - chain stitchdc - double crochethtr - half treble crochetss - slip stitchtr - treble crochetst - stitch
Instructions for rose flower
Rnd 1 Using DK yarn in bright pink 1tr 2ch 1tr in 4th ch (skip 2ch1tr 2ch 1tr in next ch) 3 times (4 v- spaces)
Rnd 2 3ch 6tr into next v-space 1dc into space between v-spacesContinue with 6tr into each v-space and 1dc in between spaces untilend ss into last ch Fasten off
Roll the work with fingers from start to finish to create a small rose flower and sew together at thebase
Instructions for leaves
Using DK yarn and 300mm hook make 2 leaves as follows
Rnd 1 5ch dc in 2nd ch 1htr in next ch 1tr in each of next 2ch 3ch ss in base of last tr workedNow work on opposite side of stitches by turning the work
Rnd 2 3ch 1tr in each of next 2 ch 1htr in next ch dc ss in top of first st Fasten off and sew inloose ends
Assembly
Sew the leaves to the reverse of the rose and attach to the cosy as shown in the picture
Picot edging
Rnd 1 Using DK yarn in bright pink dc into each stitch around the edge of the cosy opening ss tofirst dc
Rnd 2 3ch ss into 2nd chain from hook ss into base of 3ch dc into next 2ch 3ch continuefrom to ss into last ch Fasten off and sew in loose ends
Written by Andrea Lesley Crochethttpwwwfolksycomshopsandrealesleycrochet
Materials
T - shirt - colour your choiceScissorsChainSewing needle and threadCorsage or embellishments
Step 1 First get a plain whitet-shirt
Step 2 Then cut off the neck Step 3 Now sew two pieces of chain to each side of where theneckline should be
Step 4 Cut a triangle out ofthe bottom of the t-shirt
Step 5 Tie the two ends thatare left into a knot or bow
Step 6 Finally add a corsageor flower to the front
Step 7 Now you have a bang on trend crop top simply wear over a vest top I loved designing andgokking up this t-shirt it took minutes and didnt cost a lot either
Corsage made by Madam SalamihttpwwwetsycomshopMadamSalami
Written By Heidi Jackson
Favourite finds from around the crafting communityThis months focus is Easter and Spring
Click on the images to take you to their store
Online StreetMISI
Ring With A FlowerBlue Fish Handmade
pound800
Spring necklace in glassand sterling silver
RosieJo Jewellerypound1275
Easter Eggs CardNaomi Constable
pound250
FOLKSY
Easter rabbit cushionwith choccie eggs
Phoebelinas Treasurespound500
Easter Knitted BagsFluerette
pound300
Small Gorgeous FeltSpring Bouquets
Spare Minute Productionspound2000
WOW THANK YOU
Green And Brown PetalFlower Bracelet
Sprinkles Sparklespound3750 inc pampp
Handmade Pink Canvas Wall Art(Set of 3)
Craft on Canvaspound3900 inc pampp
Blue Easter ChickDharmapaintings
pound12 20 inc pampp
All prices correct at the time of publication
Favourite finds from around the crafting communityThis months focus is Easter and Spring
Click on the images to take you to their store
Best PicksUGLY BE GONE
Handpainted DottyDolly Pegs
Ticketty Boopound650
Quirky Motifs ShopperRachael Taylor
pound1500
Collette the Cow BibBaby Boutique
pound1100
The Cutie Pie - recycledpaper butterfly shadow boxThe WingSpan Collection
pound6421
Easter 1 Square PendantHappy Easter Spring Flowers
Miss Gooseberry Pendantspound321
ETSY
RETROEasterplastic springfling daisy clip-on earringsamber brown makes art
pound208ARTFIRE
Easter Egg Mini Cards 2x2 6Peculiar Parchment
pound170
Spring Chicks - Little FusedGlass Dish - Easter Gift
First Light Glasspound926
4 Chocolate Easter ParadeBunny Lollipops extra large
Candy Cottagepound741
All prices correct at the time of publication
What you will need3 x 10 inch lengths of purple Cylon cord10mm silver plated lobster clasp and clasp tag2 x silver plated fold over necklace endsApprox 24 Rose Quartz gemstone chip beads(holes need to be large enough to thread onelength of the cylon cord though)2 x 4mm silver plated jump rings
Rose Quartz is the stone of unconditionalloveIt purifies and opens the heart helping thewearer to love themselves as well as others
Rose Quartz draws off negative energy andhelps release unexpressed emotions
Encourages self forgiveness and acceptanceaids self trust and self worth
I find it easier to use a macrame board for making this type of bracelet as it make it easier tokeep the design neat but its not essential I use a simple board made from a cork notice boardand pins I also use nylon nosed pliers to fold over the necklace ends as I find metal pliers oftenleave marks but again they arent essential
Step 2 Thread a chip bead onto each of the outer lengths ofcord
Step 3 Cross the outer cordsover the middle one as youwould in a braid Then braid thecords again
Step 1 Attach one of thenecklace ends to one end ofthe three lengths of CyloncordYou can then use the hole inthe end to attach the braceletto your board
Make a Rose Quartz Bracelet
Step 6 Attach the secondnecklace end to the three cordwithout cutting them as it makesit easier The ends can then betrimmed with a craft knife orsharp scissors
Step 7 Using the jump ringsattach the clasp to one end ofthe bracelet and the clasp tagto the other
Step 4 Thread two chip beadson to the new outer lengths ofcord and braid as in the previousstep
Step 5 Repeat step three and four untilthe bracelet reaches seven inchesor your desired length
(The clasp section will measureapproximately one inch)
If the cord ends become frayed they canbe fixed with a little super glue
Step 8 And there you areOne finished rose quartzbracelet
Would you like to share a craft project with Creative Crafting
Let us know what project you would like toshare with us
Anything from jewellery knitting and crochetcrafts paper crafts or a craft you feel hasbeen forgotten about
Email thecrystalladycreative-craftingcom
Written by Elderberry Artshttpwwwelderberryartscouk
To those who are not yet aware Prince William and Kate Middleton will tie the knot this month onFriday 29th April in a quiet little ceremony at Westminster Abbey To some this may mean getting aday off to celebrate the nuptials or actually attend the whole affair To others like myself who areself-employed there will be no day off and hence little difference from a normal day but we can stillbe happy for the two love birds entering a state of marital bliss for the first timeIn these uncertain economic times I am not sure how the Royal Wedding will affect the economyhow much money will people want to spend Will this mean street parties like those that dominatemany peoplersquos memories from Prince Charles and Dianarsquos wedding back in 1981 Will there be arush to purchase ridiculously crass lsquosouvenirrsquo mugs plates tea towels or will the market just not bethere at all with all the unsold Royal Wedding goods in the pound shops by JuneThe handmade and crafting sector needs to be aware of the sales potential created by this Royalevent and so products should be made available to support the celebrations and possibly make thecountry feel good about itself again Maybe a lovely warm spring day in April will be good for thecountry and make it forget its economic woes for a few hoursWe asked a number of our sellers about their experience of the last big Royal Wedding (Charles andDiana) and what they are going to do this time to celebrate There were mixed feelings ndash manywere too young to remember much about the 1981 event and even though I remember a day offfrom school I cannot remember any street parties or spontaneous Mardi Gras This time around Ithink money will be a big factor and most people will not stray too far from a bit of home baking inred white and blue and also a show of patriotic bunting Union Jacks are quite the lsquoin thingrsquo at themoment for interior design and so a patriotic statement may double as being hip and trendy
Kim Lampard of Zigzag Bunting thinks a great way tocelebrate the Royal Wedding is to make your own buntingShe suggests pulling together a pile of fabrics that you nolonger need but that hold cherished memories for you forexample your daughterrsquos first cute dress a tea-towel youbought on a special holiday an old bedspread made by your
Granny Even if the items are damaged so cannot be passed on to others there is always a littlecorner that can be cut up into a triangle to make a bunting flag Mix a few of these together and ifyou have enough for a colour scheme (such as red white and blue) fine but donrsquot worry the flagsdonrsquot even need to be the same size Sometimes a shabby chic lsquoMix and Matchrsquo approach turns outto be perfect Sew the fabric triangles onto a piece of ribbon or bias tape and you will have awonderful string of bunting to decorate for the special day You and your family will remember notonly the Royal Wedding when you bring out that bunting but have extra glimpses of their past inthe fabrics Definitely a memento to cherish
Gaye Weekes of A amp V Designs now lives in Snowdonia North Wales and onlyan hour away from Anglesey where the Royal couple will begin their marriedlife She has no doubt had that His Highness has been hovering over theirremote valley in his helicopter over recent months Gaye plans to be flying redwhite and green Welsh bunting for the wedding Her bunting is made fromvintage fabric from the 1950s and 1960s - a cotton heavy woven greenand cream floral and a jolly red and white gingham She adds ldquo
rdquo
This article was written by
from
httpwwwwowthankyoucouk
Karine Ait-Mohamed of The Pink Fairy Cake isFrench but now lives in England She says ldquo
rdquo In the spirit of the occasion Karinehas produced a product that combines both England and France into the celebration Shehas produced sets of two Union Jack hearts filled with lavender from Chateau la Gabelle inHaute-Provence
Lisa MacDonald of LisaMollyMacDonaldis quite enthusiastic about the weddingand getting caught up in the glamour of the
occasion ldquo
rdquo
Lou Carswell of Loubie Jewels has some prettyfantastic red white and blue jewellery which wouldbe suitable for a Royal wedding celebration She told
us ldquo
rdquo
So what can we gather from these observations It will be a nice idea to celebrate the RoyalWedding If we apply a little lsquowartimersquo austerity (handmade lends itself to recycling andupcycling) we shouldnrsquot have to spend a fortune We can step back from commercialism andbe involved in a low key but meaningful way that will make the event more memorable for itssimplicity and just a little thrift God Bless William and Kate
Tell us about yourself
My name is Sandra Ritchie I live in Cleethorpes UK with my husbandJason my 10 year old daughter Alisha my 2 year old son Alfred andour dog Dumbledore Primarily I am a housewife but in my sparetime I make jewellery of all kinds from beaded pieces to metal workbut mainly I make custom-made bespoke precious metal jewellery
When did your crafting begin and why
Many years ago I studied Jewellery and Metal Art at college andover time Ive collected the tools I needed but never got round tosetting up a workroom until 2009 when my Husband pointed outthat our Utility Room would be perfect for me to set up as aworkroom to start making jewellery again It seemed ideal Ialready had people interested in me making them some jewelleryand it meant I could stay at home and look after the children as wellas try to establish a name for myself as a Jewellery designermaker
What was the first item you made to sell online
The first item I made to sell whilst not specifically to sell online was asilver octopus necklace commissioned by an acquaintance of mine thathad seen the silver octopus necklace that I made for myself whilst atcollege and wanted one like it She has since purchased the silver andcopper entwined Dragon necklace and a commissioned silver Dragonand is back on my list for another piece to be made My number onefan I think
What is your biggest crafting achievement and why
I love all the pieces Ive created especially my Custom work but myfavourite piece of all is the Greenman necklace I was approached tomake something as a surprise for someone and was basically giventhe opportunity to produce something different to my usual pieces Ilove making pieces that are based on peoples ideas of what theywant that is really special but the Greenman necklace was mydesign based on what the customer wanted it to represent I had toteach myself etching for the piece as its something Id never learntand Im really pleased with how it worked out
Other than crafting what else do you like to do
I love spending time with my children and family I love baking andcooking too and I suppose I should admit to enjoying the oddrelaxing glass (or bottle) of nice wine when the children are in bed
wwwlittlefairycultcouk
Where would you like to be in 5 years
In 5 years time Id love to be in a better financial position so I canbuy silver and make silver jewellery to sell that isnt just Custom-made Ive started sneaking a few pieces of precious metal jewellerythat are for general sale onto my site
Where does your inspiration come from
My inspiration is usually from the customers themselves They tell mewhat it is they want and I design a piece to reflect that Sometimes theyalter the design slightly to reflect more of how they want it and that isfine For my bead jewellery its usually what beads I have in myworkroom that inspire my beaded pieces I very rarely buy beads for thereason that I have a design idea and usually just buy mixed lots of beadsand work with what I have
What are your favourite materials and why
I really love working with precious metals There is somethinguniquely satisfying about taking a flat sheet of metal and turning itinto a beautiful piece of jewellery Thats why I take pictures of thepieces as I am making them so that other people and the customerwhos item it is can enjoy seeing it progress from a blank piece ofprecious metal into the finished piece
What is favourite shop online that isnrsquot yours and why
Oh my There are so many amazing websites offering beautiful andunique handmade items but I will always take a look at Etsy to see ifthere is anything that catches my eye on there They have such a largevariety of designerssellers making almost everything but the kitchen sink(though I bet if you looked hard enough youd find one on there) Ireally enjoy the little treasuries they do too where you can browse aselection of items that are grouped together by themes
Has any person helped or supported you more than any other
I have had a lot of support from the good friends I have gained on Twitter and of coursemy real life friends have been extremely supportive too but the main reason I actuallysorted out my workroom (or corner of the utility room) was due to my husband insistingthat I start making jewellery again Luckily his insistence and support paid off virtuallystraight away when a friend asked for the octopus necklace I mentioned earlier to bemade
Tell us a random fact about yourself
I have known the sex of each child and whether Id be carrying one or more before I evenconceived them Fairly random but fact nevertheless
Kit includes seed beads 5 x handmade glass beads choker wire x 3 banglewire x 2 ring wire x 3 jewellery pliers beading mat instructions
Makes 8 fabulous and individual pieces of jewellery without the need forfiddly findings books or other money-wasters
Beaded Jewellery Kitpound12Japan Crafts
A coordinating selection of beads plus step-by-step full colour instructions to make your own version of the Jungle Collar design Learn how to work peyote stitch edge it with drops and embellish it with a lush fringe and beaded flowers and leaves Let your beading imagination run wild
Each kit is hand-picked and slightly different so the beads you receive may not be the exact onesshown in the photograph but you can be certain that your necklace will be uniqueThe kit comes carefully packaged in a handy reusable storage box the only things yoursquoll need inaddition are a beading needle a spool of nylon beading thread and some sharp scissors
Beadweaving Kit for Jungle Collar
pound38Lynn Davy
Fairy Earrings Jewellery Making Kit - Ages 7yrs+
pound5Jewellery Making Kits
These single kits are fabulous for all crafty and creative girls They also make great presents for school friends nieces sisters or even grown ups Each kit includes Sterling Silver earwires or studs a small selection of flowers for the skirt a pair of wings a few coloured glass pearls for the heads silver headpin Organza Bag Full set of instructionsSuitable for ages 7 years and up Requires a pair of pliers to finish off - all instructions included
Bracelet Kit - Chunky Swarovski Pearl and Crystal with Toggle Clasp
pound750Wonderstuff Craft Kits
A little kit of bronze Swarovski pearls and Golden Shadow Swarovski crystals silk and toggle clasp
Kit includes 11 x Swarovski 12mm Pearls Colour - Soft Bronze 3 x Swarovski Crystal 8mm Rondelles - Colour - Golden Shadow 8 x Swarovski Crystal 4mmBicones Colour - Light Colorado Topaz 1 x Silver Plated Toggle Bar 1 x Silver plated Toggle RingBracelet length of threading silk Instructions
This kit contains top quality beads to make an exquisite braceletno special tools are needed
Jewellery making kits
from the small crafterWersquove found a selection of wonderful beading kits for allages and experience These are not massed producedsets but offered by the small crafter
This article was created by The Crystal Lady httpwwwmysticearthcouk
This Months
This months lsquoMan of the Monthrsquo is Ade (Adrian)EdmondsonChosen by MegampMillie
This months lsquoLady of the Monthrsquo is GwenStefaniChosen by Claire Pearcy from Elderberry Arts
httpwwwgwenstefanicom
httpwwwunrealitytvcouklets-dance-for-comic-relieflets-dance-for-comic-relief-results-ade-edmondson-and-eighties-super-group-make-next-weeks-final
(Nothing like an April Fools)
This months lsquoBlog of the Month Awardrsquo goes to lsquoItrsquos All Fiddle Fartrsquo
httpitsallfiddlefartblogspotcom
This months lsquoShop of the Month Awardrsquo goes to lsquoJulias DriftwoodFurniturersquo
httpwwwfolksycomshopsseasandview123
ww
wc
reativ
e-cr
afting
co
mw
ww
cr
eative-c
on
nec
tion
snin
gc
om
CREATIVE CRAFTING
Our next issue will be available to read on
1st June 2010If you have missed any of our issues you
can find them to read on our websitewwwcreative-craftingcom
And also on our Social Network Creative Connectionswwwcreative-connectionsningcom
To advertise in Creative Crafting or to submit an article please contact Annaat thecrystalladycreative-craftingcom
AUGUSTSUMMER 2010
Issue 5
By Crafters for Crafters
Check out our
CraftersDirectory
CREATIVE CRAFTING
By Crafters for Crafters
Issue 3
ValentinesMothers Day 2010
HandcraftedWeddingSpecial
Valentine ampMothers Day
Projects
Have youbeen
featured
By Crafters for Crafters
Issue 3ValentinesMothers Day 2010
Handcrafted
Wedding
SpecialValentine amp
Mothers Day
ProjectsHave you
been
featured
By
EASTER 2010
Issue 4
FATHERS DAY 2010
Issue 4
By Crafters for Crafters
Ch
eck out our
Craft
ersDirectory
AUGUSTSUMMER 2
010
Issu
e 5
By Craf
ters fo
r Craf
ters
Chec
k out our
Crafters
Directory
CREATIVE
C
RAFTINGAU
TUM
N H
ALLO
WEE
N 201
0Is
sue
7
CREA
TIVE
CRAF
TIN
G
By Craf
ters f
or C
rafter
s
Chec
k
out our
Craft
ersDirect
ory
An
niv
ersa
ry
Issu
e
Donrsquot forget
All of our links andadverts are fullyclickable
If you would like to embed our magazine into your website blog myspace page etc you can
customise the code to suit your style and size
AUTUMN HALLOWEEN 2010
Issue 7CREATIVE CRAFTING
By Crafters for Crafters
Check out our
CraftersDirectory
Anniversary
Issue
CHRISTMAS 2010
Issue 8
By Crafters for Crafters
FATHERS DAY 2010
Issue 4
By Crafters for Crafters
Check out our
Crafters
Directory
EASTER 2010
Issue 4
By Crafters for Crafters
By Crafters for Crafters
VALENTINES 2011Issue 9
CREATIVE CRAFTING
in the GardenHi Irsquom Tina
Good to have you visit with me again in The GardenI think we will sit in the conservatory this morning the sun is juststreaming in it is so wonderful to feel the warmth after such a coldwinter I have the kettle on and some little iced biscuits butremember we must not over indulge me especially as I have notbeen working in the garden so much just sitting in doors munching
Well Spring is here at last and it does seem to be in a hurrythis year the crab apple is already in bud and also the fruittrees
I had my own little piece of garden and the plants therewere in my charge if I forgot to water them and theydied mother would say you have to be responsible givethem a little care and you will be rewarded with so muchbeauty and as I look around the garden today thebeauty just takes my breath awayI checked out the herbs after the winter and just look atthis monster itrsquos the parsley how great is this
Here is a photo of the willow catkins or lambs tails as mymother used to call them she was a country woman andknew every wild flower by their old country names sheloved all nature and her garden and was my inspirationfrom an early age
wwwtina-in-the-gardenblogspotcom
Also I think that this flower is really confused it is of coursean antirrhinum when I emptied the summer bedding fromthe tubs some were still fine so I planted them in thegarden and as you can see have been well rewarded Alsosome silver foliage plants which I cannot remember thename of and of course have lost thelabel they seem to think that it isalready summer
At the moment you can get into the bog it does not look half as mysterious as it does inthe summer you can even see the streamMy better half and I have one or two projects this summer well I have theideas and he makes them work howlucky am I So watch this space
Oh you have to leave well thank you again for coming be safe until your next visit withme in The Garden
Your green fingered friendTina
The bluebells are coming throughin the wood not long now beforethey flower they have to hurrybefore the trees get their leaves
Creative CraftingAdvertise with
wwwcreative-craftingcomadvertisehtml
A mouse herecould take customers
to your store
We care about yourcraft business
Prices startfrom
only pound2
There are a lot of different crafts to choose fromThis series of articles will discover some of the more unusual and also some
old world crafts that may have been almost forgotten
This article was created by
The Crystal Ladyhttpwwwmysticearthcouk
Sold by Amazon
Knitting with Dog Hairby Anne Montgomery
Contains easy step-by-step instructions for collecting cleaningstoring and spinning your dogs fur The book includes originalknitting patterns for the novice and the pro - from mittens toshawls to lace collars from your cats hair
How to Knit a Dog Hair Sweater
E-How
The brushed undercoat of a dog is called chiengora and can be used for knittingcrocheting or felting just like lambs wool or other yarn Dogs hair has been used forcenturies for weaving blankets and other coverings Dogs hair is much warmer thanwool Here is how to knit a sweater from dog hair
After the tutorial the writer goes on to leave a warning that dog hair is much warmerthan wool and an entire garment made of dog hair will be too hot to wear
I also found a very fascinating article about a lady called Laurie Moy on the Boulder DailyCamera website
Better a sweater from a dog you know and love than from a sheepyoull never meet
Warp and woof-woof Making clothes out of dog hair
Read more Boulder Daily Camera
This was discovered in an American newspaper by Creative Craftings Tinawe just had to tell you about it
I did some Googling about this and apparently there is quite alot about it I found a tutorial on the popular E-How site
Irsquom sure like me yoursquoll find this quite fascinatingIf any of our spinners out there fancy a go atcreating some yarn from their pooches we wouldlove to see some of the results It is also a greatidea for recycling all of that fluff that you areconstantly sweeping up off your sofa or yourcarpet There really is a use for most things afterall
Salt dough is so quick and easy (and therapeutic) to make endlessly adaptable a joy to sharewith the kids and has the advantage of being made from store-cupboard basics (although youcould make these projects in clay or fimo or even plasticine)The drawbacks are that it takes a while to cookpaintvarnish it will dissolve in wet or very dampconditions and will break if you drop it So allow yourself a couple of days to produce a finishedpiece and varnish thoroughly when decorated to protect against any damage
Making a Batch of Salt Dough
1 Mug of Table Salt2 Mugs of Plain FlourApprox 1 Mug of Tepid Water (Add final frac14 slowly)1 Tablespoon of Olive or Vegetable Oil (Optional)
Mix the flour and salt together in a bowlIf you are using oil (which helps to add elasticity but is optional and not necessary) add it to themug of water Add the water (with or without oil) to the salt and flour mixAdd most of the water stirring into the dry ingredients with a wooden spoon Add the last of thewater carefully as you will need more or less depending on humidity and the gradequality of theflourYou need to add enough to bind the ingredients without making it too sticky Empty onto a lightlyfloured surface and knead for at least ten minutes until the dough is smooth and slightly warm
A Few Tips for Modelling Salt DoughRoll out salt dough onto a lightly floured surface with a floured rolling pin or you could use abottle if you havent got a rolling pin Gently flattening salt dough with the heels of your hands willwork too but keep moving the dough to keep it even and turn it over to the fresh smooth sidejust before you begin cutting shapesKeep the thickness of your pieces under an inch much thicker than this and they wont hardenproperly in the middleUse a sharp knife to cut salt dough shapes but a blunt knife (or the back of a knife) is useful whenmarking lines onto the dough A scalpel or craft knife is best for cutting out intricate shapesUse pastry cutters plasticine moulds forks hair grips scrubbing brushes experiment withanything you have lying around the house
Cooking Salt DoughCook your salt dough pieces slowly in a very low oven The cooler and slower the better to preventdistortion in the cooking process These pieces were cooked at 140275 degrees or Gas Mark 1 forapproximately 2 hours but I often leave them all day in the oven at its lowest setting
Heartmade Gifts
Decorating Salt DoughYou can decorate your pieces before or after the cooking process Try adding food colouringherbs and spices tea or coffee to your dough as you knead it Or try painting your uncooked piecewith an egg wash for a lovely golden glowExperiment with various mediums on cooked pieces Gouache and acrylics work well but posterpaint is fine (if a little limited in colour variation) and you could try chalks felt tips or crayonsUse glue to add decorations including glitter sequins fabric bows tiny scraps of paper etcIts nice to leave the dough perfectly natural sometimes and sometimes a combination of naturaldough and painted areas works very wellVarnish thoroughly Any varnish will work I tend to use a spray varnish as a first coat to set thepaints then I add a few coats of a super store own brand wood varnish (If you need yourfinished piece to be especially waterproof try yacht varnish but be aware that it will tend tochange the colours making them yellowish)Use a small brush to get into all the nooks and crannies and allow each coat to dry thoroughlybefore applying the next one The more coats you apply the better protected your final pieceHowever unvarnished salt dough I have made for personal use (or the odd forgotten piece) hassurvived very well even in a slightly damp old house So dont let a lack of varnish deter you fromtrying salt dough But if you are creating a family heirloom four or five coats of a good varnish willensure it lasts for yearsTry these two Easter projects the ldquoEgg-stra Specialrdquo eggs are very quick and simple enough to dowith small children the primrose basket takes a while and is a little fiddly but well worth tryingand very easy to adapt by choosing your own flower or perhaps some other motif
~ Egg-stra Special Eggs ~
1 Form an egg shape from a small ball of dough by rolling in your hands and pressthis gently onto your baking tray(Its easier to build your salt dough pieces directly onto the tray you will use tocook them rather than try and move them while they are still uncooked I havebuilt my eggs onto the kitchen surface because it will be easier for you to see whatIm doing)
2 Roll out a piece of salt dough and use it to cover the bottom end of youregg like a blanket When you are happy with the position gently lift andrun a wet paintbrush between the two pieces to glue them together
3 Cut out an egg cup shape around your egg
4 Use a damp paintbrush to push the egg cup onto the eggand ensure it sticks
(A damp paintbrush also helps soften edges and blend any creases or cracks)
5 Uncurl an old metal paperclip and push into the dough to form a hangingloop You can use a piece of any wire I try and use paperclips or a piece of wire
coat-hanger as I like to recycle An alternative hanging method is to create a smallhole (or two holes for larger pieces) and thread a ribbon or piece of leather shoelacethrough the hole tying it to make a loop)
6 Cut out a small bow shape from a piece of flattened dough
7 Cut two ribbon ends from a rectangle of flattened dough
8 Use a wet paintbrush to layer the ribbon ends onto thetop of your egg
9 Attach the bow in position And add a small piece to the centre ofthe bow to finish
10 Cook
11 Decorate in whatever way takes your fancy hellip have fun
~ Primrose Basket ~
1 Cover a bowl in greaseproof paper and turn upside down onto your baking tray
2 Roll out some dough to approx 5mm thickness and cut into thin stripslong enough to cover your bowl
3 Lay four of these strips across the bottom ofyour bowl
4 Begin weaving four in the opposite direction by gently liftingalternate strips out of the way laying the cross strip and replacingthe lifted strips
5 Then add one strip to each side until you reach the edge of the bowl
6 Trim the edge with a knife or fold the stripsback to form a rough bowl lip You can indentsomething on the dough to secure anddecorate
7 Cook
8 Carefully remove the bowl and paper
9 Make primrose flowers and leaves and glue them to the rim with a wetpaintbrush replacing your bowl in the oven for a short whileLeaves ndash cut rough leaf shapes out of a piece of flatted dough and mark theveins and indent the edges with the back of a knifeFlowers ndash use a small heart cutter to cut 5 heart shapes and place on the rim with pointstogether indenting the centre with your fingertip and then marking with the end of a paintbrushPaint with whichever medium you prefer or have to hand I have used acrylics here leaving thebasket natural and painting the primrose leaves green and the flowers yellow adding someorange to the centres of the flowers while the yellow is still damp for a blurred effect
This article was written by Diannefrom Heartmade Gifts
Join Heartmade Gifts on Facebook
wwwheartmadegiftswordpresscom
Lilac Lace Heart LocketJewellery by Bina
Vintage Victorian StyledSweetheart Locket
Miss Bohemia
pound17
pound15
Emerald Bewitched
youmin
$40
The Bright Forest Locket
marisolspoon
$35
Cameral Locket
mydogandi
$2750
Creative CraftingFavourite
This article was created by
The Crystal Ladyhttpwwwmysticearthcouk
Lockets may sound very old fashioned but if you have a wander through thehandmade sites you will find a wealth of very modern and extremely beautifuldesigns Perfect for you to carry your loved ones with you wherever you go
Bee Joyful LocketThe Whimsical Wren
pound10
SteampunkWatch Mechanism
Locketedmdesigns
$85
Luscious LocketsLuscious Lockets
Who likes Chocolate CakeThis is a great recipe for Easter Mothers day or any other daylets admit it we all love chocolate
Ingredients
7 oz self raising flour8 oz caster sugar1 teaspoon of salt2 tablespoons of cocoa powder4 oz margarine2 eggs beaten with5 tablespoons evaporated milk5 tablespoons water1 teaspoon vanilla essence
1 Sift together flour sugar and salt and cocoa2 Rub in margarine3 Stir in eggs essence and liquids then beat well4 Grease and flour 2 8 inch cake tins divide the mixture between them5 Bake in a moderate over 325-350 F gas mark 3 about 35 minutes6 When cold sandwich together and cover in milk chocolate icing
Milk chocolate Icing
Ingredients
2 and a half oz margarine or butter4 tablespoons cocoa8 oz sieved icing sugar3 tablespoons hot milk1 teaspoon vanilla essence
Melt the margarine or butter and blend incocoa powder then stir in icing sugar milkand vanilla essence Beat until smooth andthick
We hope you all enjoy the recipe we would love to see anypictures of chocolate cakes that you make
Instructions
Instructions
Written and reviewed by Peggyrsquos Knitshttppeggyscollectionwebscom
By Sprinkles Sparkleshttpwwwsprinklessparklescouk
All prices are correct at the time of publication
Budget amp LuxurySpring special
Woodland DaffodilsCharm Bracelet
Coco Angel Rosepound1600
Spring Flower Hair ClipFlutter2me
pound450
Spring flowers broochDi Does Craft
pound800
Pink Spring Clutchfunky diva designs
pound1750
Cupcake BuntingCotton Cottage
pound1650
Purple TulipsWildrose Ridge
pound350
Chickadees and LilacsStained Glass WindowStained Glass Addie
pound4940
The Charlotte - SageRosalind Jamespound14500
Springtime 16 Crayon RollApple n Amos
pound509
Buttercup earrings in softyellow with peridot and brass
Goblins Marketpound401
Springtime DalaFolk Horse HangingDecoration - YellowCourt and Spark
pound400
D A P H N E - BrokenChina Plate Pendant
and Sterling Silver NecklaceDesigns by Mila
pound2228
To make the leaves
Using DK yarn and 300 mm hook make 5 leaves as follows
Rnd 1 9ch dc in 2nd ch 1htr in next ch 1tr in each of next 6ch 3ch ss in base of last tr worked
Now work on opposite side of stitches by turning the work
Rnd 2 3ch 1tr in each of next 6ch 1htr in next ch dc ss in top of first stFasten off and sew in loose ends
Materials
Small quantity of DK yarn I have used a yarn with awool-mix but any DK yarn of your choice will be suitableSmall quantity of kid mohair yarn (use two strands together)300 mm hook200 mm hookOne large buttonBrooch pinSewing needle
To make the small rose
Using a 200 mm hook and working two strands of kid mohair yarn together 13ch
Rnd 1 1tr 2ch 1tr in 4th ch (skip 2ch 1tr 2ch 1tr in next ch) 3 times (4 v- spaces)
Rnd 2 3ch 6tr into next v-space 1dc into space between v-spaces Continue with 6tr into eachv-space and 1dc in between spaces until end ss into last ch Fasten off
Roll the work with fingers from start to finish to create a small rose flower and sew together at thebase
Assembling the brooch
Turn the flower so the right side is facing up and sew the button in the centre of the flowerAttach the rose to the centre of the button as shown in diagram Sew a brooch pin to the back of theflower to complete the brooch
Arrange the 5 leaves to form a circle so thecorners of the leaves are touching Sew eachcorner together to form the petals of aflower
Turn the work so the wrong side is facing upand close the hole by sewing together withthe same DK yarn used to make the leaves
Crochet Flower Brooch
ch - chain stitchdc - double crochethtr - half treble crochetss - slip stitchtr - treble crochetst - stitch
Crochet Mobile PhoneiPod Cosy
Materials
50g Dk yarn in mustard colourSmall quantity of DK yarn in bright pink for picot edgingof cosy and small roseSmall quantity of DK yarn in sage green for leaves of roseflowerSize 300mm hook
Instructions for the cosy
The cosy can be made to fit a mobile phoneiPod of your choice
Pattern note the pattern is worked in dc throughout and worked in the round using the tapestrycrochet method of crochet This involves carrying a second yarn below the first making it verystrong
Foundation row
Using one strand of DK yarn in mustard make a chain that measures the width of your mobilephoneipod
Rnd 1 dc across row until the last chain 2dc in last chain Turn work
Rnd 2 Begin to carry a second strand of mustard yarn throughouteach round and every round from now on This yarn is not worked butcarried below the first strand of yarn
Work along the opposite side of the row just worked 1dc in first ch1ch in each chain until the last chain 2dc in last chain Now mark thelast stitch just worked with a different colour yarn so you can see theend of the round and keep moving this marker up to the last stitchworked
Rnd 3 Dc in each chain around working in spirals moving the stitchmarker as the piece grows Continue until the work measures thedesired length to fit the mobileiPod Fasten off and tie in loose ends
ch - chain stitchdc - double crochethtr - half treble crochetss - slip stitchtr - treble crochetst - stitch
Instructions for rose flower
Rnd 1 Using DK yarn in bright pink 1tr 2ch 1tr in 4th ch (skip 2ch1tr 2ch 1tr in next ch) 3 times (4 v- spaces)
Rnd 2 3ch 6tr into next v-space 1dc into space between v-spacesContinue with 6tr into each v-space and 1dc in between spaces untilend ss into last ch Fasten off
Roll the work with fingers from start to finish to create a small rose flower and sew together at thebase
Instructions for leaves
Using DK yarn and 300mm hook make 2 leaves as follows
Rnd 1 5ch dc in 2nd ch 1htr in next ch 1tr in each of next 2ch 3ch ss in base of last tr workedNow work on opposite side of stitches by turning the work
Rnd 2 3ch 1tr in each of next 2 ch 1htr in next ch dc ss in top of first st Fasten off and sew inloose ends
Assembly
Sew the leaves to the reverse of the rose and attach to the cosy as shown in the picture
Picot edging
Rnd 1 Using DK yarn in bright pink dc into each stitch around the edge of the cosy opening ss tofirst dc
Rnd 2 3ch ss into 2nd chain from hook ss into base of 3ch dc into next 2ch 3ch continuefrom to ss into last ch Fasten off and sew in loose ends
Written by Andrea Lesley Crochethttpwwwfolksycomshopsandrealesleycrochet
Materials
T - shirt - colour your choiceScissorsChainSewing needle and threadCorsage or embellishments
Step 1 First get a plain whitet-shirt
Step 2 Then cut off the neck Step 3 Now sew two pieces of chain to each side of where theneckline should be
Step 4 Cut a triangle out ofthe bottom of the t-shirt
Step 5 Tie the two ends thatare left into a knot or bow
Step 6 Finally add a corsageor flower to the front
Step 7 Now you have a bang on trend crop top simply wear over a vest top I loved designing andgokking up this t-shirt it took minutes and didnt cost a lot either
Corsage made by Madam SalamihttpwwwetsycomshopMadamSalami
Written By Heidi Jackson
Favourite finds from around the crafting communityThis months focus is Easter and Spring
Click on the images to take you to their store
Online StreetMISI
Ring With A FlowerBlue Fish Handmade
pound800
Spring necklace in glassand sterling silver
RosieJo Jewellerypound1275
Easter Eggs CardNaomi Constable
pound250
FOLKSY
Easter rabbit cushionwith choccie eggs
Phoebelinas Treasurespound500
Easter Knitted BagsFluerette
pound300
Small Gorgeous FeltSpring Bouquets
Spare Minute Productionspound2000
WOW THANK YOU
Green And Brown PetalFlower Bracelet
Sprinkles Sparklespound3750 inc pampp
Handmade Pink Canvas Wall Art(Set of 3)
Craft on Canvaspound3900 inc pampp
Blue Easter ChickDharmapaintings
pound12 20 inc pampp
All prices correct at the time of publication
Favourite finds from around the crafting communityThis months focus is Easter and Spring
Click on the images to take you to their store
Best PicksUGLY BE GONE
Handpainted DottyDolly Pegs
Ticketty Boopound650
Quirky Motifs ShopperRachael Taylor
pound1500
Collette the Cow BibBaby Boutique
pound1100
The Cutie Pie - recycledpaper butterfly shadow boxThe WingSpan Collection
pound6421
Easter 1 Square PendantHappy Easter Spring Flowers
Miss Gooseberry Pendantspound321
ETSY
RETROEasterplastic springfling daisy clip-on earringsamber brown makes art
pound208ARTFIRE
Easter Egg Mini Cards 2x2 6Peculiar Parchment
pound170
Spring Chicks - Little FusedGlass Dish - Easter Gift
First Light Glasspound926
4 Chocolate Easter ParadeBunny Lollipops extra large
Candy Cottagepound741
All prices correct at the time of publication
What you will need3 x 10 inch lengths of purple Cylon cord10mm silver plated lobster clasp and clasp tag2 x silver plated fold over necklace endsApprox 24 Rose Quartz gemstone chip beads(holes need to be large enough to thread onelength of the cylon cord though)2 x 4mm silver plated jump rings
Rose Quartz is the stone of unconditionalloveIt purifies and opens the heart helping thewearer to love themselves as well as others
Rose Quartz draws off negative energy andhelps release unexpressed emotions
Encourages self forgiveness and acceptanceaids self trust and self worth
I find it easier to use a macrame board for making this type of bracelet as it make it easier tokeep the design neat but its not essential I use a simple board made from a cork notice boardand pins I also use nylon nosed pliers to fold over the necklace ends as I find metal pliers oftenleave marks but again they arent essential
Step 2 Thread a chip bead onto each of the outer lengths ofcord
Step 3 Cross the outer cordsover the middle one as youwould in a braid Then braid thecords again
Step 1 Attach one of thenecklace ends to one end ofthe three lengths of CyloncordYou can then use the hole inthe end to attach the braceletto your board
Make a Rose Quartz Bracelet
Step 6 Attach the secondnecklace end to the three cordwithout cutting them as it makesit easier The ends can then betrimmed with a craft knife orsharp scissors
Step 7 Using the jump ringsattach the clasp to one end ofthe bracelet and the clasp tagto the other
Step 4 Thread two chip beadson to the new outer lengths ofcord and braid as in the previousstep
Step 5 Repeat step three and four untilthe bracelet reaches seven inchesor your desired length
(The clasp section will measureapproximately one inch)
If the cord ends become frayed they canbe fixed with a little super glue
Step 8 And there you areOne finished rose quartzbracelet
Would you like to share a craft project with Creative Crafting
Let us know what project you would like toshare with us
Anything from jewellery knitting and crochetcrafts paper crafts or a craft you feel hasbeen forgotten about
Email thecrystalladycreative-craftingcom
Written by Elderberry Artshttpwwwelderberryartscouk
To those who are not yet aware Prince William and Kate Middleton will tie the knot this month onFriday 29th April in a quiet little ceremony at Westminster Abbey To some this may mean getting aday off to celebrate the nuptials or actually attend the whole affair To others like myself who areself-employed there will be no day off and hence little difference from a normal day but we can stillbe happy for the two love birds entering a state of marital bliss for the first timeIn these uncertain economic times I am not sure how the Royal Wedding will affect the economyhow much money will people want to spend Will this mean street parties like those that dominatemany peoplersquos memories from Prince Charles and Dianarsquos wedding back in 1981 Will there be arush to purchase ridiculously crass lsquosouvenirrsquo mugs plates tea towels or will the market just not bethere at all with all the unsold Royal Wedding goods in the pound shops by JuneThe handmade and crafting sector needs to be aware of the sales potential created by this Royalevent and so products should be made available to support the celebrations and possibly make thecountry feel good about itself again Maybe a lovely warm spring day in April will be good for thecountry and make it forget its economic woes for a few hoursWe asked a number of our sellers about their experience of the last big Royal Wedding (Charles andDiana) and what they are going to do this time to celebrate There were mixed feelings ndash manywere too young to remember much about the 1981 event and even though I remember a day offfrom school I cannot remember any street parties or spontaneous Mardi Gras This time around Ithink money will be a big factor and most people will not stray too far from a bit of home baking inred white and blue and also a show of patriotic bunting Union Jacks are quite the lsquoin thingrsquo at themoment for interior design and so a patriotic statement may double as being hip and trendy
Kim Lampard of Zigzag Bunting thinks a great way tocelebrate the Royal Wedding is to make your own buntingShe suggests pulling together a pile of fabrics that you nolonger need but that hold cherished memories for you forexample your daughterrsquos first cute dress a tea-towel youbought on a special holiday an old bedspread made by your
Granny Even if the items are damaged so cannot be passed on to others there is always a littlecorner that can be cut up into a triangle to make a bunting flag Mix a few of these together and ifyou have enough for a colour scheme (such as red white and blue) fine but donrsquot worry the flagsdonrsquot even need to be the same size Sometimes a shabby chic lsquoMix and Matchrsquo approach turns outto be perfect Sew the fabric triangles onto a piece of ribbon or bias tape and you will have awonderful string of bunting to decorate for the special day You and your family will remember notonly the Royal Wedding when you bring out that bunting but have extra glimpses of their past inthe fabrics Definitely a memento to cherish
Gaye Weekes of A amp V Designs now lives in Snowdonia North Wales and onlyan hour away from Anglesey where the Royal couple will begin their marriedlife She has no doubt had that His Highness has been hovering over theirremote valley in his helicopter over recent months Gaye plans to be flying redwhite and green Welsh bunting for the wedding Her bunting is made fromvintage fabric from the 1950s and 1960s - a cotton heavy woven greenand cream floral and a jolly red and white gingham She adds ldquo
rdquo
This article was written by
from
httpwwwwowthankyoucouk
Karine Ait-Mohamed of The Pink Fairy Cake isFrench but now lives in England She says ldquo
rdquo In the spirit of the occasion Karinehas produced a product that combines both England and France into the celebration Shehas produced sets of two Union Jack hearts filled with lavender from Chateau la Gabelle inHaute-Provence
Lisa MacDonald of LisaMollyMacDonaldis quite enthusiastic about the weddingand getting caught up in the glamour of the
occasion ldquo
rdquo
Lou Carswell of Loubie Jewels has some prettyfantastic red white and blue jewellery which wouldbe suitable for a Royal wedding celebration She told
us ldquo
rdquo
So what can we gather from these observations It will be a nice idea to celebrate the RoyalWedding If we apply a little lsquowartimersquo austerity (handmade lends itself to recycling andupcycling) we shouldnrsquot have to spend a fortune We can step back from commercialism andbe involved in a low key but meaningful way that will make the event more memorable for itssimplicity and just a little thrift God Bless William and Kate
Tell us about yourself
My name is Sandra Ritchie I live in Cleethorpes UK with my husbandJason my 10 year old daughter Alisha my 2 year old son Alfred andour dog Dumbledore Primarily I am a housewife but in my sparetime I make jewellery of all kinds from beaded pieces to metal workbut mainly I make custom-made bespoke precious metal jewellery
When did your crafting begin and why
Many years ago I studied Jewellery and Metal Art at college andover time Ive collected the tools I needed but never got round tosetting up a workroom until 2009 when my Husband pointed outthat our Utility Room would be perfect for me to set up as aworkroom to start making jewellery again It seemed ideal Ialready had people interested in me making them some jewelleryand it meant I could stay at home and look after the children as wellas try to establish a name for myself as a Jewellery designermaker
What was the first item you made to sell online
The first item I made to sell whilst not specifically to sell online was asilver octopus necklace commissioned by an acquaintance of mine thathad seen the silver octopus necklace that I made for myself whilst atcollege and wanted one like it She has since purchased the silver andcopper entwined Dragon necklace and a commissioned silver Dragonand is back on my list for another piece to be made My number onefan I think
What is your biggest crafting achievement and why
I love all the pieces Ive created especially my Custom work but myfavourite piece of all is the Greenman necklace I was approached tomake something as a surprise for someone and was basically giventhe opportunity to produce something different to my usual pieces Ilove making pieces that are based on peoples ideas of what theywant that is really special but the Greenman necklace was mydesign based on what the customer wanted it to represent I had toteach myself etching for the piece as its something Id never learntand Im really pleased with how it worked out
Other than crafting what else do you like to do
I love spending time with my children and family I love baking andcooking too and I suppose I should admit to enjoying the oddrelaxing glass (or bottle) of nice wine when the children are in bed
wwwlittlefairycultcouk
Where would you like to be in 5 years
In 5 years time Id love to be in a better financial position so I canbuy silver and make silver jewellery to sell that isnt just Custom-made Ive started sneaking a few pieces of precious metal jewellerythat are for general sale onto my site
Where does your inspiration come from
My inspiration is usually from the customers themselves They tell mewhat it is they want and I design a piece to reflect that Sometimes theyalter the design slightly to reflect more of how they want it and that isfine For my bead jewellery its usually what beads I have in myworkroom that inspire my beaded pieces I very rarely buy beads for thereason that I have a design idea and usually just buy mixed lots of beadsand work with what I have
What are your favourite materials and why
I really love working with precious metals There is somethinguniquely satisfying about taking a flat sheet of metal and turning itinto a beautiful piece of jewellery Thats why I take pictures of thepieces as I am making them so that other people and the customerwhos item it is can enjoy seeing it progress from a blank piece ofprecious metal into the finished piece
What is favourite shop online that isnrsquot yours and why
Oh my There are so many amazing websites offering beautiful andunique handmade items but I will always take a look at Etsy to see ifthere is anything that catches my eye on there They have such a largevariety of designerssellers making almost everything but the kitchen sink(though I bet if you looked hard enough youd find one on there) Ireally enjoy the little treasuries they do too where you can browse aselection of items that are grouped together by themes
Has any person helped or supported you more than any other
I have had a lot of support from the good friends I have gained on Twitter and of coursemy real life friends have been extremely supportive too but the main reason I actuallysorted out my workroom (or corner of the utility room) was due to my husband insistingthat I start making jewellery again Luckily his insistence and support paid off virtuallystraight away when a friend asked for the octopus necklace I mentioned earlier to bemade
Tell us a random fact about yourself
I have known the sex of each child and whether Id be carrying one or more before I evenconceived them Fairly random but fact nevertheless
Kit includes seed beads 5 x handmade glass beads choker wire x 3 banglewire x 2 ring wire x 3 jewellery pliers beading mat instructions
Makes 8 fabulous and individual pieces of jewellery without the need forfiddly findings books or other money-wasters
Beaded Jewellery Kitpound12Japan Crafts
A coordinating selection of beads plus step-by-step full colour instructions to make your own version of the Jungle Collar design Learn how to work peyote stitch edge it with drops and embellish it with a lush fringe and beaded flowers and leaves Let your beading imagination run wild
Each kit is hand-picked and slightly different so the beads you receive may not be the exact onesshown in the photograph but you can be certain that your necklace will be uniqueThe kit comes carefully packaged in a handy reusable storage box the only things yoursquoll need inaddition are a beading needle a spool of nylon beading thread and some sharp scissors
Beadweaving Kit for Jungle Collar
pound38Lynn Davy
Fairy Earrings Jewellery Making Kit - Ages 7yrs+
pound5Jewellery Making Kits
These single kits are fabulous for all crafty and creative girls They also make great presents for school friends nieces sisters or even grown ups Each kit includes Sterling Silver earwires or studs a small selection of flowers for the skirt a pair of wings a few coloured glass pearls for the heads silver headpin Organza Bag Full set of instructionsSuitable for ages 7 years and up Requires a pair of pliers to finish off - all instructions included
Bracelet Kit - Chunky Swarovski Pearl and Crystal with Toggle Clasp
pound750Wonderstuff Craft Kits
A little kit of bronze Swarovski pearls and Golden Shadow Swarovski crystals silk and toggle clasp
Kit includes 11 x Swarovski 12mm Pearls Colour - Soft Bronze 3 x Swarovski Crystal 8mm Rondelles - Colour - Golden Shadow 8 x Swarovski Crystal 4mmBicones Colour - Light Colorado Topaz 1 x Silver Plated Toggle Bar 1 x Silver plated Toggle RingBracelet length of threading silk Instructions
This kit contains top quality beads to make an exquisite braceletno special tools are needed
Jewellery making kits
from the small crafterWersquove found a selection of wonderful beading kits for allages and experience These are not massed producedsets but offered by the small crafter
This article was created by The Crystal Lady httpwwwmysticearthcouk
This Months
This months lsquoMan of the Monthrsquo is Ade (Adrian)EdmondsonChosen by MegampMillie
This months lsquoLady of the Monthrsquo is GwenStefaniChosen by Claire Pearcy from Elderberry Arts
httpwwwgwenstefanicom
httpwwwunrealitytvcouklets-dance-for-comic-relieflets-dance-for-comic-relief-results-ade-edmondson-and-eighties-super-group-make-next-weeks-final
(Nothing like an April Fools)
This months lsquoBlog of the Month Awardrsquo goes to lsquoItrsquos All Fiddle Fartrsquo
httpitsallfiddlefartblogspotcom
This months lsquoShop of the Month Awardrsquo goes to lsquoJulias DriftwoodFurniturersquo
httpwwwfolksycomshopsseasandview123
ww
wc
reativ
e-cr
afting
co
mw
ww
cr
eative-c
on
nec
tion
snin
gc
om
CREATIVE CRAFTING
Our next issue will be available to read on
1st June 2010If you have missed any of our issues you
can find them to read on our websitewwwcreative-craftingcom
And also on our Social Network Creative Connectionswwwcreative-connectionsningcom
To advertise in Creative Crafting or to submit an article please contact Annaat thecrystalladycreative-craftingcom
AUGUSTSUMMER 2010
Issue 5
By Crafters for Crafters
Check out our
CraftersDirectory
CREATIVE CRAFTING
By Crafters for Crafters
Issue 3
ValentinesMothers Day 2010
HandcraftedWeddingSpecial
Valentine ampMothers Day
Projects
Have youbeen
featured
By Crafters for Crafters
Issue 3ValentinesMothers Day 2010
Handcrafted
Wedding
SpecialValentine amp
Mothers Day
ProjectsHave you
been
featured
By
EASTER 2010
Issue 4
FATHERS DAY 2010
Issue 4
By Crafters for Crafters
Ch
eck out our
Craft
ersDirectory
AUGUSTSUMMER 2
010
Issu
e 5
By Craf
ters fo
r Craf
ters
Chec
k out our
Crafters
Directory
CREATIVE
C
RAFTINGAU
TUM
N H
ALLO
WEE
N 201
0Is
sue
7
CREA
TIVE
CRAF
TIN
G
By Craf
ters f
or C
rafter
s
Chec
k
out our
Craft
ersDirect
ory
An
niv
ersa
ry
Issu
e
Donrsquot forget
All of our links andadverts are fullyclickable
If you would like to embed our magazine into your website blog myspace page etc you can
customise the code to suit your style and size
AUTUMN HALLOWEEN 2010
Issue 7CREATIVE CRAFTING
By Crafters for Crafters
Check out our
CraftersDirectory
Anniversary
Issue
CHRISTMAS 2010
Issue 8
By Crafters for Crafters
FATHERS DAY 2010
Issue 4
By Crafters for Crafters
Check out our
Crafters
Directory
EASTER 2010
Issue 4
By Crafters for Crafters
By Crafters for Crafters
VALENTINES 2011Issue 9
CREATIVE CRAFTING
wwwtina-in-the-gardenblogspotcom
Also I think that this flower is really confused it is of coursean antirrhinum when I emptied the summer bedding fromthe tubs some were still fine so I planted them in thegarden and as you can see have been well rewarded Alsosome silver foliage plants which I cannot remember thename of and of course have lost thelabel they seem to think that it isalready summer
At the moment you can get into the bog it does not look half as mysterious as it does inthe summer you can even see the streamMy better half and I have one or two projects this summer well I have theideas and he makes them work howlucky am I So watch this space
Oh you have to leave well thank you again for coming be safe until your next visit withme in The Garden
Your green fingered friendTina
The bluebells are coming throughin the wood not long now beforethey flower they have to hurrybefore the trees get their leaves
Creative CraftingAdvertise with
wwwcreative-craftingcomadvertisehtml
A mouse herecould take customers
to your store
We care about yourcraft business
Prices startfrom
only pound2
There are a lot of different crafts to choose fromThis series of articles will discover some of the more unusual and also some
old world crafts that may have been almost forgotten
This article was created by
The Crystal Ladyhttpwwwmysticearthcouk
Sold by Amazon
Knitting with Dog Hairby Anne Montgomery
Contains easy step-by-step instructions for collecting cleaningstoring and spinning your dogs fur The book includes originalknitting patterns for the novice and the pro - from mittens toshawls to lace collars from your cats hair
How to Knit a Dog Hair Sweater
E-How
The brushed undercoat of a dog is called chiengora and can be used for knittingcrocheting or felting just like lambs wool or other yarn Dogs hair has been used forcenturies for weaving blankets and other coverings Dogs hair is much warmer thanwool Here is how to knit a sweater from dog hair
After the tutorial the writer goes on to leave a warning that dog hair is much warmerthan wool and an entire garment made of dog hair will be too hot to wear
I also found a very fascinating article about a lady called Laurie Moy on the Boulder DailyCamera website
Better a sweater from a dog you know and love than from a sheepyoull never meet
Warp and woof-woof Making clothes out of dog hair
Read more Boulder Daily Camera
This was discovered in an American newspaper by Creative Craftings Tinawe just had to tell you about it
I did some Googling about this and apparently there is quite alot about it I found a tutorial on the popular E-How site
Irsquom sure like me yoursquoll find this quite fascinatingIf any of our spinners out there fancy a go atcreating some yarn from their pooches we wouldlove to see some of the results It is also a greatidea for recycling all of that fluff that you areconstantly sweeping up off your sofa or yourcarpet There really is a use for most things afterall
Salt dough is so quick and easy (and therapeutic) to make endlessly adaptable a joy to sharewith the kids and has the advantage of being made from store-cupboard basics (although youcould make these projects in clay or fimo or even plasticine)The drawbacks are that it takes a while to cookpaintvarnish it will dissolve in wet or very dampconditions and will break if you drop it So allow yourself a couple of days to produce a finishedpiece and varnish thoroughly when decorated to protect against any damage
Making a Batch of Salt Dough
1 Mug of Table Salt2 Mugs of Plain FlourApprox 1 Mug of Tepid Water (Add final frac14 slowly)1 Tablespoon of Olive or Vegetable Oil (Optional)
Mix the flour and salt together in a bowlIf you are using oil (which helps to add elasticity but is optional and not necessary) add it to themug of water Add the water (with or without oil) to the salt and flour mixAdd most of the water stirring into the dry ingredients with a wooden spoon Add the last of thewater carefully as you will need more or less depending on humidity and the gradequality of theflourYou need to add enough to bind the ingredients without making it too sticky Empty onto a lightlyfloured surface and knead for at least ten minutes until the dough is smooth and slightly warm
A Few Tips for Modelling Salt DoughRoll out salt dough onto a lightly floured surface with a floured rolling pin or you could use abottle if you havent got a rolling pin Gently flattening salt dough with the heels of your hands willwork too but keep moving the dough to keep it even and turn it over to the fresh smooth sidejust before you begin cutting shapesKeep the thickness of your pieces under an inch much thicker than this and they wont hardenproperly in the middleUse a sharp knife to cut salt dough shapes but a blunt knife (or the back of a knife) is useful whenmarking lines onto the dough A scalpel or craft knife is best for cutting out intricate shapesUse pastry cutters plasticine moulds forks hair grips scrubbing brushes experiment withanything you have lying around the house
Cooking Salt DoughCook your salt dough pieces slowly in a very low oven The cooler and slower the better to preventdistortion in the cooking process These pieces were cooked at 140275 degrees or Gas Mark 1 forapproximately 2 hours but I often leave them all day in the oven at its lowest setting
Heartmade Gifts
Decorating Salt DoughYou can decorate your pieces before or after the cooking process Try adding food colouringherbs and spices tea or coffee to your dough as you knead it Or try painting your uncooked piecewith an egg wash for a lovely golden glowExperiment with various mediums on cooked pieces Gouache and acrylics work well but posterpaint is fine (if a little limited in colour variation) and you could try chalks felt tips or crayonsUse glue to add decorations including glitter sequins fabric bows tiny scraps of paper etcIts nice to leave the dough perfectly natural sometimes and sometimes a combination of naturaldough and painted areas works very wellVarnish thoroughly Any varnish will work I tend to use a spray varnish as a first coat to set thepaints then I add a few coats of a super store own brand wood varnish (If you need yourfinished piece to be especially waterproof try yacht varnish but be aware that it will tend tochange the colours making them yellowish)Use a small brush to get into all the nooks and crannies and allow each coat to dry thoroughlybefore applying the next one The more coats you apply the better protected your final pieceHowever unvarnished salt dough I have made for personal use (or the odd forgotten piece) hassurvived very well even in a slightly damp old house So dont let a lack of varnish deter you fromtrying salt dough But if you are creating a family heirloom four or five coats of a good varnish willensure it lasts for yearsTry these two Easter projects the ldquoEgg-stra Specialrdquo eggs are very quick and simple enough to dowith small children the primrose basket takes a while and is a little fiddly but well worth tryingand very easy to adapt by choosing your own flower or perhaps some other motif
~ Egg-stra Special Eggs ~
1 Form an egg shape from a small ball of dough by rolling in your hands and pressthis gently onto your baking tray(Its easier to build your salt dough pieces directly onto the tray you will use tocook them rather than try and move them while they are still uncooked I havebuilt my eggs onto the kitchen surface because it will be easier for you to see whatIm doing)
2 Roll out a piece of salt dough and use it to cover the bottom end of youregg like a blanket When you are happy with the position gently lift andrun a wet paintbrush between the two pieces to glue them together
3 Cut out an egg cup shape around your egg
4 Use a damp paintbrush to push the egg cup onto the eggand ensure it sticks
(A damp paintbrush also helps soften edges and blend any creases or cracks)
5 Uncurl an old metal paperclip and push into the dough to form a hangingloop You can use a piece of any wire I try and use paperclips or a piece of wire
coat-hanger as I like to recycle An alternative hanging method is to create a smallhole (or two holes for larger pieces) and thread a ribbon or piece of leather shoelacethrough the hole tying it to make a loop)
6 Cut out a small bow shape from a piece of flattened dough
7 Cut two ribbon ends from a rectangle of flattened dough
8 Use a wet paintbrush to layer the ribbon ends onto thetop of your egg
9 Attach the bow in position And add a small piece to the centre ofthe bow to finish
10 Cook
11 Decorate in whatever way takes your fancy hellip have fun
~ Primrose Basket ~
1 Cover a bowl in greaseproof paper and turn upside down onto your baking tray
2 Roll out some dough to approx 5mm thickness and cut into thin stripslong enough to cover your bowl
3 Lay four of these strips across the bottom ofyour bowl
4 Begin weaving four in the opposite direction by gently liftingalternate strips out of the way laying the cross strip and replacingthe lifted strips
5 Then add one strip to each side until you reach the edge of the bowl
6 Trim the edge with a knife or fold the stripsback to form a rough bowl lip You can indentsomething on the dough to secure anddecorate
7 Cook
8 Carefully remove the bowl and paper
9 Make primrose flowers and leaves and glue them to the rim with a wetpaintbrush replacing your bowl in the oven for a short whileLeaves ndash cut rough leaf shapes out of a piece of flatted dough and mark theveins and indent the edges with the back of a knifeFlowers ndash use a small heart cutter to cut 5 heart shapes and place on the rim with pointstogether indenting the centre with your fingertip and then marking with the end of a paintbrushPaint with whichever medium you prefer or have to hand I have used acrylics here leaving thebasket natural and painting the primrose leaves green and the flowers yellow adding someorange to the centres of the flowers while the yellow is still damp for a blurred effect
This article was written by Diannefrom Heartmade Gifts
Join Heartmade Gifts on Facebook
wwwheartmadegiftswordpresscom
Lilac Lace Heart LocketJewellery by Bina
Vintage Victorian StyledSweetheart Locket
Miss Bohemia
pound17
pound15
Emerald Bewitched
youmin
$40
The Bright Forest Locket
marisolspoon
$35
Cameral Locket
mydogandi
$2750
Creative CraftingFavourite
This article was created by
The Crystal Ladyhttpwwwmysticearthcouk
Lockets may sound very old fashioned but if you have a wander through thehandmade sites you will find a wealth of very modern and extremely beautifuldesigns Perfect for you to carry your loved ones with you wherever you go
Bee Joyful LocketThe Whimsical Wren
pound10
SteampunkWatch Mechanism
Locketedmdesigns
$85
Luscious LocketsLuscious Lockets
Who likes Chocolate CakeThis is a great recipe for Easter Mothers day or any other daylets admit it we all love chocolate
Ingredients
7 oz self raising flour8 oz caster sugar1 teaspoon of salt2 tablespoons of cocoa powder4 oz margarine2 eggs beaten with5 tablespoons evaporated milk5 tablespoons water1 teaspoon vanilla essence
1 Sift together flour sugar and salt and cocoa2 Rub in margarine3 Stir in eggs essence and liquids then beat well4 Grease and flour 2 8 inch cake tins divide the mixture between them5 Bake in a moderate over 325-350 F gas mark 3 about 35 minutes6 When cold sandwich together and cover in milk chocolate icing
Milk chocolate Icing
Ingredients
2 and a half oz margarine or butter4 tablespoons cocoa8 oz sieved icing sugar3 tablespoons hot milk1 teaspoon vanilla essence
Melt the margarine or butter and blend incocoa powder then stir in icing sugar milkand vanilla essence Beat until smooth andthick
We hope you all enjoy the recipe we would love to see anypictures of chocolate cakes that you make
Instructions
Instructions
Written and reviewed by Peggyrsquos Knitshttppeggyscollectionwebscom
By Sprinkles Sparkleshttpwwwsprinklessparklescouk
All prices are correct at the time of publication
Budget amp LuxurySpring special
Woodland DaffodilsCharm Bracelet
Coco Angel Rosepound1600
Spring Flower Hair ClipFlutter2me
pound450
Spring flowers broochDi Does Craft
pound800
Pink Spring Clutchfunky diva designs
pound1750
Cupcake BuntingCotton Cottage
pound1650
Purple TulipsWildrose Ridge
pound350
Chickadees and LilacsStained Glass WindowStained Glass Addie
pound4940
The Charlotte - SageRosalind Jamespound14500
Springtime 16 Crayon RollApple n Amos
pound509
Buttercup earrings in softyellow with peridot and brass
Goblins Marketpound401
Springtime DalaFolk Horse HangingDecoration - YellowCourt and Spark
pound400
D A P H N E - BrokenChina Plate Pendant
and Sterling Silver NecklaceDesigns by Mila
pound2228
To make the leaves
Using DK yarn and 300 mm hook make 5 leaves as follows
Rnd 1 9ch dc in 2nd ch 1htr in next ch 1tr in each of next 6ch 3ch ss in base of last tr worked
Now work on opposite side of stitches by turning the work
Rnd 2 3ch 1tr in each of next 6ch 1htr in next ch dc ss in top of first stFasten off and sew in loose ends
Materials
Small quantity of DK yarn I have used a yarn with awool-mix but any DK yarn of your choice will be suitableSmall quantity of kid mohair yarn (use two strands together)300 mm hook200 mm hookOne large buttonBrooch pinSewing needle
To make the small rose
Using a 200 mm hook and working two strands of kid mohair yarn together 13ch
Rnd 1 1tr 2ch 1tr in 4th ch (skip 2ch 1tr 2ch 1tr in next ch) 3 times (4 v- spaces)
Rnd 2 3ch 6tr into next v-space 1dc into space between v-spaces Continue with 6tr into eachv-space and 1dc in between spaces until end ss into last ch Fasten off
Roll the work with fingers from start to finish to create a small rose flower and sew together at thebase
Assembling the brooch
Turn the flower so the right side is facing up and sew the button in the centre of the flowerAttach the rose to the centre of the button as shown in diagram Sew a brooch pin to the back of theflower to complete the brooch
Arrange the 5 leaves to form a circle so thecorners of the leaves are touching Sew eachcorner together to form the petals of aflower
Turn the work so the wrong side is facing upand close the hole by sewing together withthe same DK yarn used to make the leaves
Crochet Flower Brooch
ch - chain stitchdc - double crochethtr - half treble crochetss - slip stitchtr - treble crochetst - stitch
Crochet Mobile PhoneiPod Cosy
Materials
50g Dk yarn in mustard colourSmall quantity of DK yarn in bright pink for picot edgingof cosy and small roseSmall quantity of DK yarn in sage green for leaves of roseflowerSize 300mm hook
Instructions for the cosy
The cosy can be made to fit a mobile phoneiPod of your choice
Pattern note the pattern is worked in dc throughout and worked in the round using the tapestrycrochet method of crochet This involves carrying a second yarn below the first making it verystrong
Foundation row
Using one strand of DK yarn in mustard make a chain that measures the width of your mobilephoneipod
Rnd 1 dc across row until the last chain 2dc in last chain Turn work
Rnd 2 Begin to carry a second strand of mustard yarn throughouteach round and every round from now on This yarn is not worked butcarried below the first strand of yarn
Work along the opposite side of the row just worked 1dc in first ch1ch in each chain until the last chain 2dc in last chain Now mark thelast stitch just worked with a different colour yarn so you can see theend of the round and keep moving this marker up to the last stitchworked
Rnd 3 Dc in each chain around working in spirals moving the stitchmarker as the piece grows Continue until the work measures thedesired length to fit the mobileiPod Fasten off and tie in loose ends
ch - chain stitchdc - double crochethtr - half treble crochetss - slip stitchtr - treble crochetst - stitch
Instructions for rose flower
Rnd 1 Using DK yarn in bright pink 1tr 2ch 1tr in 4th ch (skip 2ch1tr 2ch 1tr in next ch) 3 times (4 v- spaces)
Rnd 2 3ch 6tr into next v-space 1dc into space between v-spacesContinue with 6tr into each v-space and 1dc in between spaces untilend ss into last ch Fasten off
Roll the work with fingers from start to finish to create a small rose flower and sew together at thebase
Instructions for leaves
Using DK yarn and 300mm hook make 2 leaves as follows
Rnd 1 5ch dc in 2nd ch 1htr in next ch 1tr in each of next 2ch 3ch ss in base of last tr workedNow work on opposite side of stitches by turning the work
Rnd 2 3ch 1tr in each of next 2 ch 1htr in next ch dc ss in top of first st Fasten off and sew inloose ends
Assembly
Sew the leaves to the reverse of the rose and attach to the cosy as shown in the picture
Picot edging
Rnd 1 Using DK yarn in bright pink dc into each stitch around the edge of the cosy opening ss tofirst dc
Rnd 2 3ch ss into 2nd chain from hook ss into base of 3ch dc into next 2ch 3ch continuefrom to ss into last ch Fasten off and sew in loose ends
Written by Andrea Lesley Crochethttpwwwfolksycomshopsandrealesleycrochet
Materials
T - shirt - colour your choiceScissorsChainSewing needle and threadCorsage or embellishments
Step 1 First get a plain whitet-shirt
Step 2 Then cut off the neck Step 3 Now sew two pieces of chain to each side of where theneckline should be
Step 4 Cut a triangle out ofthe bottom of the t-shirt
Step 5 Tie the two ends thatare left into a knot or bow
Step 6 Finally add a corsageor flower to the front
Step 7 Now you have a bang on trend crop top simply wear over a vest top I loved designing andgokking up this t-shirt it took minutes and didnt cost a lot either
Corsage made by Madam SalamihttpwwwetsycomshopMadamSalami
Written By Heidi Jackson
Favourite finds from around the crafting communityThis months focus is Easter and Spring
Click on the images to take you to their store
Online StreetMISI
Ring With A FlowerBlue Fish Handmade
pound800
Spring necklace in glassand sterling silver
RosieJo Jewellerypound1275
Easter Eggs CardNaomi Constable
pound250
FOLKSY
Easter rabbit cushionwith choccie eggs
Phoebelinas Treasurespound500
Easter Knitted BagsFluerette
pound300
Small Gorgeous FeltSpring Bouquets
Spare Minute Productionspound2000
WOW THANK YOU
Green And Brown PetalFlower Bracelet
Sprinkles Sparklespound3750 inc pampp
Handmade Pink Canvas Wall Art(Set of 3)
Craft on Canvaspound3900 inc pampp
Blue Easter ChickDharmapaintings
pound12 20 inc pampp
All prices correct at the time of publication
Favourite finds from around the crafting communityThis months focus is Easter and Spring
Click on the images to take you to their store
Best PicksUGLY BE GONE
Handpainted DottyDolly Pegs
Ticketty Boopound650
Quirky Motifs ShopperRachael Taylor
pound1500
Collette the Cow BibBaby Boutique
pound1100
The Cutie Pie - recycledpaper butterfly shadow boxThe WingSpan Collection
pound6421
Easter 1 Square PendantHappy Easter Spring Flowers
Miss Gooseberry Pendantspound321
ETSY
RETROEasterplastic springfling daisy clip-on earringsamber brown makes art
pound208ARTFIRE
Easter Egg Mini Cards 2x2 6Peculiar Parchment
pound170
Spring Chicks - Little FusedGlass Dish - Easter Gift
First Light Glasspound926
4 Chocolate Easter ParadeBunny Lollipops extra large
Candy Cottagepound741
All prices correct at the time of publication
What you will need3 x 10 inch lengths of purple Cylon cord10mm silver plated lobster clasp and clasp tag2 x silver plated fold over necklace endsApprox 24 Rose Quartz gemstone chip beads(holes need to be large enough to thread onelength of the cylon cord though)2 x 4mm silver plated jump rings
Rose Quartz is the stone of unconditionalloveIt purifies and opens the heart helping thewearer to love themselves as well as others
Rose Quartz draws off negative energy andhelps release unexpressed emotions
Encourages self forgiveness and acceptanceaids self trust and self worth
I find it easier to use a macrame board for making this type of bracelet as it make it easier tokeep the design neat but its not essential I use a simple board made from a cork notice boardand pins I also use nylon nosed pliers to fold over the necklace ends as I find metal pliers oftenleave marks but again they arent essential
Step 2 Thread a chip bead onto each of the outer lengths ofcord
Step 3 Cross the outer cordsover the middle one as youwould in a braid Then braid thecords again
Step 1 Attach one of thenecklace ends to one end ofthe three lengths of CyloncordYou can then use the hole inthe end to attach the braceletto your board
Make a Rose Quartz Bracelet
Step 6 Attach the secondnecklace end to the three cordwithout cutting them as it makesit easier The ends can then betrimmed with a craft knife orsharp scissors
Step 7 Using the jump ringsattach the clasp to one end ofthe bracelet and the clasp tagto the other
Step 4 Thread two chip beadson to the new outer lengths ofcord and braid as in the previousstep
Step 5 Repeat step three and four untilthe bracelet reaches seven inchesor your desired length
(The clasp section will measureapproximately one inch)
If the cord ends become frayed they canbe fixed with a little super glue
Step 8 And there you areOne finished rose quartzbracelet
Would you like to share a craft project with Creative Crafting
Let us know what project you would like toshare with us
Anything from jewellery knitting and crochetcrafts paper crafts or a craft you feel hasbeen forgotten about
Email thecrystalladycreative-craftingcom
Written by Elderberry Artshttpwwwelderberryartscouk
To those who are not yet aware Prince William and Kate Middleton will tie the knot this month onFriday 29th April in a quiet little ceremony at Westminster Abbey To some this may mean getting aday off to celebrate the nuptials or actually attend the whole affair To others like myself who areself-employed there will be no day off and hence little difference from a normal day but we can stillbe happy for the two love birds entering a state of marital bliss for the first timeIn these uncertain economic times I am not sure how the Royal Wedding will affect the economyhow much money will people want to spend Will this mean street parties like those that dominatemany peoplersquos memories from Prince Charles and Dianarsquos wedding back in 1981 Will there be arush to purchase ridiculously crass lsquosouvenirrsquo mugs plates tea towels or will the market just not bethere at all with all the unsold Royal Wedding goods in the pound shops by JuneThe handmade and crafting sector needs to be aware of the sales potential created by this Royalevent and so products should be made available to support the celebrations and possibly make thecountry feel good about itself again Maybe a lovely warm spring day in April will be good for thecountry and make it forget its economic woes for a few hoursWe asked a number of our sellers about their experience of the last big Royal Wedding (Charles andDiana) and what they are going to do this time to celebrate There were mixed feelings ndash manywere too young to remember much about the 1981 event and even though I remember a day offfrom school I cannot remember any street parties or spontaneous Mardi Gras This time around Ithink money will be a big factor and most people will not stray too far from a bit of home baking inred white and blue and also a show of patriotic bunting Union Jacks are quite the lsquoin thingrsquo at themoment for interior design and so a patriotic statement may double as being hip and trendy
Kim Lampard of Zigzag Bunting thinks a great way tocelebrate the Royal Wedding is to make your own buntingShe suggests pulling together a pile of fabrics that you nolonger need but that hold cherished memories for you forexample your daughterrsquos first cute dress a tea-towel youbought on a special holiday an old bedspread made by your
Granny Even if the items are damaged so cannot be passed on to others there is always a littlecorner that can be cut up into a triangle to make a bunting flag Mix a few of these together and ifyou have enough for a colour scheme (such as red white and blue) fine but donrsquot worry the flagsdonrsquot even need to be the same size Sometimes a shabby chic lsquoMix and Matchrsquo approach turns outto be perfect Sew the fabric triangles onto a piece of ribbon or bias tape and you will have awonderful string of bunting to decorate for the special day You and your family will remember notonly the Royal Wedding when you bring out that bunting but have extra glimpses of their past inthe fabrics Definitely a memento to cherish
Gaye Weekes of A amp V Designs now lives in Snowdonia North Wales and onlyan hour away from Anglesey where the Royal couple will begin their marriedlife She has no doubt had that His Highness has been hovering over theirremote valley in his helicopter over recent months Gaye plans to be flying redwhite and green Welsh bunting for the wedding Her bunting is made fromvintage fabric from the 1950s and 1960s - a cotton heavy woven greenand cream floral and a jolly red and white gingham She adds ldquo
rdquo
This article was written by
from
httpwwwwowthankyoucouk
Karine Ait-Mohamed of The Pink Fairy Cake isFrench but now lives in England She says ldquo
rdquo In the spirit of the occasion Karinehas produced a product that combines both England and France into the celebration Shehas produced sets of two Union Jack hearts filled with lavender from Chateau la Gabelle inHaute-Provence
Lisa MacDonald of LisaMollyMacDonaldis quite enthusiastic about the weddingand getting caught up in the glamour of the
occasion ldquo
rdquo
Lou Carswell of Loubie Jewels has some prettyfantastic red white and blue jewellery which wouldbe suitable for a Royal wedding celebration She told
us ldquo
rdquo
So what can we gather from these observations It will be a nice idea to celebrate the RoyalWedding If we apply a little lsquowartimersquo austerity (handmade lends itself to recycling andupcycling) we shouldnrsquot have to spend a fortune We can step back from commercialism andbe involved in a low key but meaningful way that will make the event more memorable for itssimplicity and just a little thrift God Bless William and Kate
Tell us about yourself
My name is Sandra Ritchie I live in Cleethorpes UK with my husbandJason my 10 year old daughter Alisha my 2 year old son Alfred andour dog Dumbledore Primarily I am a housewife but in my sparetime I make jewellery of all kinds from beaded pieces to metal workbut mainly I make custom-made bespoke precious metal jewellery
When did your crafting begin and why
Many years ago I studied Jewellery and Metal Art at college andover time Ive collected the tools I needed but never got round tosetting up a workroom until 2009 when my Husband pointed outthat our Utility Room would be perfect for me to set up as aworkroom to start making jewellery again It seemed ideal Ialready had people interested in me making them some jewelleryand it meant I could stay at home and look after the children as wellas try to establish a name for myself as a Jewellery designermaker
What was the first item you made to sell online
The first item I made to sell whilst not specifically to sell online was asilver octopus necklace commissioned by an acquaintance of mine thathad seen the silver octopus necklace that I made for myself whilst atcollege and wanted one like it She has since purchased the silver andcopper entwined Dragon necklace and a commissioned silver Dragonand is back on my list for another piece to be made My number onefan I think
What is your biggest crafting achievement and why
I love all the pieces Ive created especially my Custom work but myfavourite piece of all is the Greenman necklace I was approached tomake something as a surprise for someone and was basically giventhe opportunity to produce something different to my usual pieces Ilove making pieces that are based on peoples ideas of what theywant that is really special but the Greenman necklace was mydesign based on what the customer wanted it to represent I had toteach myself etching for the piece as its something Id never learntand Im really pleased with how it worked out
Other than crafting what else do you like to do
I love spending time with my children and family I love baking andcooking too and I suppose I should admit to enjoying the oddrelaxing glass (or bottle) of nice wine when the children are in bed
wwwlittlefairycultcouk
Where would you like to be in 5 years
In 5 years time Id love to be in a better financial position so I canbuy silver and make silver jewellery to sell that isnt just Custom-made Ive started sneaking a few pieces of precious metal jewellerythat are for general sale onto my site
Where does your inspiration come from
My inspiration is usually from the customers themselves They tell mewhat it is they want and I design a piece to reflect that Sometimes theyalter the design slightly to reflect more of how they want it and that isfine For my bead jewellery its usually what beads I have in myworkroom that inspire my beaded pieces I very rarely buy beads for thereason that I have a design idea and usually just buy mixed lots of beadsand work with what I have
What are your favourite materials and why
I really love working with precious metals There is somethinguniquely satisfying about taking a flat sheet of metal and turning itinto a beautiful piece of jewellery Thats why I take pictures of thepieces as I am making them so that other people and the customerwhos item it is can enjoy seeing it progress from a blank piece ofprecious metal into the finished piece
What is favourite shop online that isnrsquot yours and why
Oh my There are so many amazing websites offering beautiful andunique handmade items but I will always take a look at Etsy to see ifthere is anything that catches my eye on there They have such a largevariety of designerssellers making almost everything but the kitchen sink(though I bet if you looked hard enough youd find one on there) Ireally enjoy the little treasuries they do too where you can browse aselection of items that are grouped together by themes
Has any person helped or supported you more than any other
I have had a lot of support from the good friends I have gained on Twitter and of coursemy real life friends have been extremely supportive too but the main reason I actuallysorted out my workroom (or corner of the utility room) was due to my husband insistingthat I start making jewellery again Luckily his insistence and support paid off virtuallystraight away when a friend asked for the octopus necklace I mentioned earlier to bemade
Tell us a random fact about yourself
I have known the sex of each child and whether Id be carrying one or more before I evenconceived them Fairly random but fact nevertheless
Kit includes seed beads 5 x handmade glass beads choker wire x 3 banglewire x 2 ring wire x 3 jewellery pliers beading mat instructions
Makes 8 fabulous and individual pieces of jewellery without the need forfiddly findings books or other money-wasters
Beaded Jewellery Kitpound12Japan Crafts
A coordinating selection of beads plus step-by-step full colour instructions to make your own version of the Jungle Collar design Learn how to work peyote stitch edge it with drops and embellish it with a lush fringe and beaded flowers and leaves Let your beading imagination run wild
Each kit is hand-picked and slightly different so the beads you receive may not be the exact onesshown in the photograph but you can be certain that your necklace will be uniqueThe kit comes carefully packaged in a handy reusable storage box the only things yoursquoll need inaddition are a beading needle a spool of nylon beading thread and some sharp scissors
Beadweaving Kit for Jungle Collar
pound38Lynn Davy
Fairy Earrings Jewellery Making Kit - Ages 7yrs+
pound5Jewellery Making Kits
These single kits are fabulous for all crafty and creative girls They also make great presents for school friends nieces sisters or even grown ups Each kit includes Sterling Silver earwires or studs a small selection of flowers for the skirt a pair of wings a few coloured glass pearls for the heads silver headpin Organza Bag Full set of instructionsSuitable for ages 7 years and up Requires a pair of pliers to finish off - all instructions included
Bracelet Kit - Chunky Swarovski Pearl and Crystal with Toggle Clasp
pound750Wonderstuff Craft Kits
A little kit of bronze Swarovski pearls and Golden Shadow Swarovski crystals silk and toggle clasp
Kit includes 11 x Swarovski 12mm Pearls Colour - Soft Bronze 3 x Swarovski Crystal 8mm Rondelles - Colour - Golden Shadow 8 x Swarovski Crystal 4mmBicones Colour - Light Colorado Topaz 1 x Silver Plated Toggle Bar 1 x Silver plated Toggle RingBracelet length of threading silk Instructions
This kit contains top quality beads to make an exquisite braceletno special tools are needed
Jewellery making kits
from the small crafterWersquove found a selection of wonderful beading kits for allages and experience These are not massed producedsets but offered by the small crafter
This article was created by The Crystal Lady httpwwwmysticearthcouk
This Months
This months lsquoMan of the Monthrsquo is Ade (Adrian)EdmondsonChosen by MegampMillie
This months lsquoLady of the Monthrsquo is GwenStefaniChosen by Claire Pearcy from Elderberry Arts
httpwwwgwenstefanicom
httpwwwunrealitytvcouklets-dance-for-comic-relieflets-dance-for-comic-relief-results-ade-edmondson-and-eighties-super-group-make-next-weeks-final
(Nothing like an April Fools)
This months lsquoBlog of the Month Awardrsquo goes to lsquoItrsquos All Fiddle Fartrsquo
httpitsallfiddlefartblogspotcom
This months lsquoShop of the Month Awardrsquo goes to lsquoJulias DriftwoodFurniturersquo
httpwwwfolksycomshopsseasandview123
ww
wc
reativ
e-cr
afting
co
mw
ww
cr
eative-c
on
nec
tion
snin
gc
om
CREATIVE CRAFTING
Our next issue will be available to read on
1st June 2010If you have missed any of our issues you
can find them to read on our websitewwwcreative-craftingcom
And also on our Social Network Creative Connectionswwwcreative-connectionsningcom
To advertise in Creative Crafting or to submit an article please contact Annaat thecrystalladycreative-craftingcom
AUGUSTSUMMER 2010
Issue 5
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AUTUMN HALLOWEEN 2010
Issue 7CREATIVE CRAFTING
By Crafters for Crafters
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CraftersDirectory
Anniversary
Issue
CHRISTMAS 2010
Issue 8
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Issue 4
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By Crafters for Crafters
VALENTINES 2011Issue 9
CREATIVE CRAFTING
Creative CraftingAdvertise with
wwwcreative-craftingcomadvertisehtml
A mouse herecould take customers
to your store
We care about yourcraft business
Prices startfrom
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There are a lot of different crafts to choose fromThis series of articles will discover some of the more unusual and also some
old world crafts that may have been almost forgotten
This article was created by
The Crystal Ladyhttpwwwmysticearthcouk
Sold by Amazon
Knitting with Dog Hairby Anne Montgomery
Contains easy step-by-step instructions for collecting cleaningstoring and spinning your dogs fur The book includes originalknitting patterns for the novice and the pro - from mittens toshawls to lace collars from your cats hair
How to Knit a Dog Hair Sweater
E-How
The brushed undercoat of a dog is called chiengora and can be used for knittingcrocheting or felting just like lambs wool or other yarn Dogs hair has been used forcenturies for weaving blankets and other coverings Dogs hair is much warmer thanwool Here is how to knit a sweater from dog hair
After the tutorial the writer goes on to leave a warning that dog hair is much warmerthan wool and an entire garment made of dog hair will be too hot to wear
I also found a very fascinating article about a lady called Laurie Moy on the Boulder DailyCamera website
Better a sweater from a dog you know and love than from a sheepyoull never meet
Warp and woof-woof Making clothes out of dog hair
Read more Boulder Daily Camera
This was discovered in an American newspaper by Creative Craftings Tinawe just had to tell you about it
I did some Googling about this and apparently there is quite alot about it I found a tutorial on the popular E-How site
Irsquom sure like me yoursquoll find this quite fascinatingIf any of our spinners out there fancy a go atcreating some yarn from their pooches we wouldlove to see some of the results It is also a greatidea for recycling all of that fluff that you areconstantly sweeping up off your sofa or yourcarpet There really is a use for most things afterall
Salt dough is so quick and easy (and therapeutic) to make endlessly adaptable a joy to sharewith the kids and has the advantage of being made from store-cupboard basics (although youcould make these projects in clay or fimo or even plasticine)The drawbacks are that it takes a while to cookpaintvarnish it will dissolve in wet or very dampconditions and will break if you drop it So allow yourself a couple of days to produce a finishedpiece and varnish thoroughly when decorated to protect against any damage
Making a Batch of Salt Dough
1 Mug of Table Salt2 Mugs of Plain FlourApprox 1 Mug of Tepid Water (Add final frac14 slowly)1 Tablespoon of Olive or Vegetable Oil (Optional)
Mix the flour and salt together in a bowlIf you are using oil (which helps to add elasticity but is optional and not necessary) add it to themug of water Add the water (with or without oil) to the salt and flour mixAdd most of the water stirring into the dry ingredients with a wooden spoon Add the last of thewater carefully as you will need more or less depending on humidity and the gradequality of theflourYou need to add enough to bind the ingredients without making it too sticky Empty onto a lightlyfloured surface and knead for at least ten minutes until the dough is smooth and slightly warm
A Few Tips for Modelling Salt DoughRoll out salt dough onto a lightly floured surface with a floured rolling pin or you could use abottle if you havent got a rolling pin Gently flattening salt dough with the heels of your hands willwork too but keep moving the dough to keep it even and turn it over to the fresh smooth sidejust before you begin cutting shapesKeep the thickness of your pieces under an inch much thicker than this and they wont hardenproperly in the middleUse a sharp knife to cut salt dough shapes but a blunt knife (or the back of a knife) is useful whenmarking lines onto the dough A scalpel or craft knife is best for cutting out intricate shapesUse pastry cutters plasticine moulds forks hair grips scrubbing brushes experiment withanything you have lying around the house
Cooking Salt DoughCook your salt dough pieces slowly in a very low oven The cooler and slower the better to preventdistortion in the cooking process These pieces were cooked at 140275 degrees or Gas Mark 1 forapproximately 2 hours but I often leave them all day in the oven at its lowest setting
Heartmade Gifts
Decorating Salt DoughYou can decorate your pieces before or after the cooking process Try adding food colouringherbs and spices tea or coffee to your dough as you knead it Or try painting your uncooked piecewith an egg wash for a lovely golden glowExperiment with various mediums on cooked pieces Gouache and acrylics work well but posterpaint is fine (if a little limited in colour variation) and you could try chalks felt tips or crayonsUse glue to add decorations including glitter sequins fabric bows tiny scraps of paper etcIts nice to leave the dough perfectly natural sometimes and sometimes a combination of naturaldough and painted areas works very wellVarnish thoroughly Any varnish will work I tend to use a spray varnish as a first coat to set thepaints then I add a few coats of a super store own brand wood varnish (If you need yourfinished piece to be especially waterproof try yacht varnish but be aware that it will tend tochange the colours making them yellowish)Use a small brush to get into all the nooks and crannies and allow each coat to dry thoroughlybefore applying the next one The more coats you apply the better protected your final pieceHowever unvarnished salt dough I have made for personal use (or the odd forgotten piece) hassurvived very well even in a slightly damp old house So dont let a lack of varnish deter you fromtrying salt dough But if you are creating a family heirloom four or five coats of a good varnish willensure it lasts for yearsTry these two Easter projects the ldquoEgg-stra Specialrdquo eggs are very quick and simple enough to dowith small children the primrose basket takes a while and is a little fiddly but well worth tryingand very easy to adapt by choosing your own flower or perhaps some other motif
~ Egg-stra Special Eggs ~
1 Form an egg shape from a small ball of dough by rolling in your hands and pressthis gently onto your baking tray(Its easier to build your salt dough pieces directly onto the tray you will use tocook them rather than try and move them while they are still uncooked I havebuilt my eggs onto the kitchen surface because it will be easier for you to see whatIm doing)
2 Roll out a piece of salt dough and use it to cover the bottom end of youregg like a blanket When you are happy with the position gently lift andrun a wet paintbrush between the two pieces to glue them together
3 Cut out an egg cup shape around your egg
4 Use a damp paintbrush to push the egg cup onto the eggand ensure it sticks
(A damp paintbrush also helps soften edges and blend any creases or cracks)
5 Uncurl an old metal paperclip and push into the dough to form a hangingloop You can use a piece of any wire I try and use paperclips or a piece of wire
coat-hanger as I like to recycle An alternative hanging method is to create a smallhole (or two holes for larger pieces) and thread a ribbon or piece of leather shoelacethrough the hole tying it to make a loop)
6 Cut out a small bow shape from a piece of flattened dough
7 Cut two ribbon ends from a rectangle of flattened dough
8 Use a wet paintbrush to layer the ribbon ends onto thetop of your egg
9 Attach the bow in position And add a small piece to the centre ofthe bow to finish
10 Cook
11 Decorate in whatever way takes your fancy hellip have fun
~ Primrose Basket ~
1 Cover a bowl in greaseproof paper and turn upside down onto your baking tray
2 Roll out some dough to approx 5mm thickness and cut into thin stripslong enough to cover your bowl
3 Lay four of these strips across the bottom ofyour bowl
4 Begin weaving four in the opposite direction by gently liftingalternate strips out of the way laying the cross strip and replacingthe lifted strips
5 Then add one strip to each side until you reach the edge of the bowl
6 Trim the edge with a knife or fold the stripsback to form a rough bowl lip You can indentsomething on the dough to secure anddecorate
7 Cook
8 Carefully remove the bowl and paper
9 Make primrose flowers and leaves and glue them to the rim with a wetpaintbrush replacing your bowl in the oven for a short whileLeaves ndash cut rough leaf shapes out of a piece of flatted dough and mark theveins and indent the edges with the back of a knifeFlowers ndash use a small heart cutter to cut 5 heart shapes and place on the rim with pointstogether indenting the centre with your fingertip and then marking with the end of a paintbrushPaint with whichever medium you prefer or have to hand I have used acrylics here leaving thebasket natural and painting the primrose leaves green and the flowers yellow adding someorange to the centres of the flowers while the yellow is still damp for a blurred effect
This article was written by Diannefrom Heartmade Gifts
Join Heartmade Gifts on Facebook
wwwheartmadegiftswordpresscom
Lilac Lace Heart LocketJewellery by Bina
Vintage Victorian StyledSweetheart Locket
Miss Bohemia
pound17
pound15
Emerald Bewitched
youmin
$40
The Bright Forest Locket
marisolspoon
$35
Cameral Locket
mydogandi
$2750
Creative CraftingFavourite
This article was created by
The Crystal Ladyhttpwwwmysticearthcouk
Lockets may sound very old fashioned but if you have a wander through thehandmade sites you will find a wealth of very modern and extremely beautifuldesigns Perfect for you to carry your loved ones with you wherever you go
Bee Joyful LocketThe Whimsical Wren
pound10
SteampunkWatch Mechanism
Locketedmdesigns
$85
Luscious LocketsLuscious Lockets
Who likes Chocolate CakeThis is a great recipe for Easter Mothers day or any other daylets admit it we all love chocolate
Ingredients
7 oz self raising flour8 oz caster sugar1 teaspoon of salt2 tablespoons of cocoa powder4 oz margarine2 eggs beaten with5 tablespoons evaporated milk5 tablespoons water1 teaspoon vanilla essence
1 Sift together flour sugar and salt and cocoa2 Rub in margarine3 Stir in eggs essence and liquids then beat well4 Grease and flour 2 8 inch cake tins divide the mixture between them5 Bake in a moderate over 325-350 F gas mark 3 about 35 minutes6 When cold sandwich together and cover in milk chocolate icing
Milk chocolate Icing
Ingredients
2 and a half oz margarine or butter4 tablespoons cocoa8 oz sieved icing sugar3 tablespoons hot milk1 teaspoon vanilla essence
Melt the margarine or butter and blend incocoa powder then stir in icing sugar milkand vanilla essence Beat until smooth andthick
We hope you all enjoy the recipe we would love to see anypictures of chocolate cakes that you make
Instructions
Instructions
Written and reviewed by Peggyrsquos Knitshttppeggyscollectionwebscom
By Sprinkles Sparkleshttpwwwsprinklessparklescouk
All prices are correct at the time of publication
Budget amp LuxurySpring special
Woodland DaffodilsCharm Bracelet
Coco Angel Rosepound1600
Spring Flower Hair ClipFlutter2me
pound450
Spring flowers broochDi Does Craft
pound800
Pink Spring Clutchfunky diva designs
pound1750
Cupcake BuntingCotton Cottage
pound1650
Purple TulipsWildrose Ridge
pound350
Chickadees and LilacsStained Glass WindowStained Glass Addie
pound4940
The Charlotte - SageRosalind Jamespound14500
Springtime 16 Crayon RollApple n Amos
pound509
Buttercup earrings in softyellow with peridot and brass
Goblins Marketpound401
Springtime DalaFolk Horse HangingDecoration - YellowCourt and Spark
pound400
D A P H N E - BrokenChina Plate Pendant
and Sterling Silver NecklaceDesigns by Mila
pound2228
To make the leaves
Using DK yarn and 300 mm hook make 5 leaves as follows
Rnd 1 9ch dc in 2nd ch 1htr in next ch 1tr in each of next 6ch 3ch ss in base of last tr worked
Now work on opposite side of stitches by turning the work
Rnd 2 3ch 1tr in each of next 6ch 1htr in next ch dc ss in top of first stFasten off and sew in loose ends
Materials
Small quantity of DK yarn I have used a yarn with awool-mix but any DK yarn of your choice will be suitableSmall quantity of kid mohair yarn (use two strands together)300 mm hook200 mm hookOne large buttonBrooch pinSewing needle
To make the small rose
Using a 200 mm hook and working two strands of kid mohair yarn together 13ch
Rnd 1 1tr 2ch 1tr in 4th ch (skip 2ch 1tr 2ch 1tr in next ch) 3 times (4 v- spaces)
Rnd 2 3ch 6tr into next v-space 1dc into space between v-spaces Continue with 6tr into eachv-space and 1dc in between spaces until end ss into last ch Fasten off
Roll the work with fingers from start to finish to create a small rose flower and sew together at thebase
Assembling the brooch
Turn the flower so the right side is facing up and sew the button in the centre of the flowerAttach the rose to the centre of the button as shown in diagram Sew a brooch pin to the back of theflower to complete the brooch
Arrange the 5 leaves to form a circle so thecorners of the leaves are touching Sew eachcorner together to form the petals of aflower
Turn the work so the wrong side is facing upand close the hole by sewing together withthe same DK yarn used to make the leaves
Crochet Flower Brooch
ch - chain stitchdc - double crochethtr - half treble crochetss - slip stitchtr - treble crochetst - stitch
Crochet Mobile PhoneiPod Cosy
Materials
50g Dk yarn in mustard colourSmall quantity of DK yarn in bright pink for picot edgingof cosy and small roseSmall quantity of DK yarn in sage green for leaves of roseflowerSize 300mm hook
Instructions for the cosy
The cosy can be made to fit a mobile phoneiPod of your choice
Pattern note the pattern is worked in dc throughout and worked in the round using the tapestrycrochet method of crochet This involves carrying a second yarn below the first making it verystrong
Foundation row
Using one strand of DK yarn in mustard make a chain that measures the width of your mobilephoneipod
Rnd 1 dc across row until the last chain 2dc in last chain Turn work
Rnd 2 Begin to carry a second strand of mustard yarn throughouteach round and every round from now on This yarn is not worked butcarried below the first strand of yarn
Work along the opposite side of the row just worked 1dc in first ch1ch in each chain until the last chain 2dc in last chain Now mark thelast stitch just worked with a different colour yarn so you can see theend of the round and keep moving this marker up to the last stitchworked
Rnd 3 Dc in each chain around working in spirals moving the stitchmarker as the piece grows Continue until the work measures thedesired length to fit the mobileiPod Fasten off and tie in loose ends
ch - chain stitchdc - double crochethtr - half treble crochetss - slip stitchtr - treble crochetst - stitch
Instructions for rose flower
Rnd 1 Using DK yarn in bright pink 1tr 2ch 1tr in 4th ch (skip 2ch1tr 2ch 1tr in next ch) 3 times (4 v- spaces)
Rnd 2 3ch 6tr into next v-space 1dc into space between v-spacesContinue with 6tr into each v-space and 1dc in between spaces untilend ss into last ch Fasten off
Roll the work with fingers from start to finish to create a small rose flower and sew together at thebase
Instructions for leaves
Using DK yarn and 300mm hook make 2 leaves as follows
Rnd 1 5ch dc in 2nd ch 1htr in next ch 1tr in each of next 2ch 3ch ss in base of last tr workedNow work on opposite side of stitches by turning the work
Rnd 2 3ch 1tr in each of next 2 ch 1htr in next ch dc ss in top of first st Fasten off and sew inloose ends
Assembly
Sew the leaves to the reverse of the rose and attach to the cosy as shown in the picture
Picot edging
Rnd 1 Using DK yarn in bright pink dc into each stitch around the edge of the cosy opening ss tofirst dc
Rnd 2 3ch ss into 2nd chain from hook ss into base of 3ch dc into next 2ch 3ch continuefrom to ss into last ch Fasten off and sew in loose ends
Written by Andrea Lesley Crochethttpwwwfolksycomshopsandrealesleycrochet
Materials
T - shirt - colour your choiceScissorsChainSewing needle and threadCorsage or embellishments
Step 1 First get a plain whitet-shirt
Step 2 Then cut off the neck Step 3 Now sew two pieces of chain to each side of where theneckline should be
Step 4 Cut a triangle out ofthe bottom of the t-shirt
Step 5 Tie the two ends thatare left into a knot or bow
Step 6 Finally add a corsageor flower to the front
Step 7 Now you have a bang on trend crop top simply wear over a vest top I loved designing andgokking up this t-shirt it took minutes and didnt cost a lot either
Corsage made by Madam SalamihttpwwwetsycomshopMadamSalami
Written By Heidi Jackson
Favourite finds from around the crafting communityThis months focus is Easter and Spring
Click on the images to take you to their store
Online StreetMISI
Ring With A FlowerBlue Fish Handmade
pound800
Spring necklace in glassand sterling silver
RosieJo Jewellerypound1275
Easter Eggs CardNaomi Constable
pound250
FOLKSY
Easter rabbit cushionwith choccie eggs
Phoebelinas Treasurespound500
Easter Knitted BagsFluerette
pound300
Small Gorgeous FeltSpring Bouquets
Spare Minute Productionspound2000
WOW THANK YOU
Green And Brown PetalFlower Bracelet
Sprinkles Sparklespound3750 inc pampp
Handmade Pink Canvas Wall Art(Set of 3)
Craft on Canvaspound3900 inc pampp
Blue Easter ChickDharmapaintings
pound12 20 inc pampp
All prices correct at the time of publication
Favourite finds from around the crafting communityThis months focus is Easter and Spring
Click on the images to take you to their store
Best PicksUGLY BE GONE
Handpainted DottyDolly Pegs
Ticketty Boopound650
Quirky Motifs ShopperRachael Taylor
pound1500
Collette the Cow BibBaby Boutique
pound1100
The Cutie Pie - recycledpaper butterfly shadow boxThe WingSpan Collection
pound6421
Easter 1 Square PendantHappy Easter Spring Flowers
Miss Gooseberry Pendantspound321
ETSY
RETROEasterplastic springfling daisy clip-on earringsamber brown makes art
pound208ARTFIRE
Easter Egg Mini Cards 2x2 6Peculiar Parchment
pound170
Spring Chicks - Little FusedGlass Dish - Easter Gift
First Light Glasspound926
4 Chocolate Easter ParadeBunny Lollipops extra large
Candy Cottagepound741
All prices correct at the time of publication
What you will need3 x 10 inch lengths of purple Cylon cord10mm silver plated lobster clasp and clasp tag2 x silver plated fold over necklace endsApprox 24 Rose Quartz gemstone chip beads(holes need to be large enough to thread onelength of the cylon cord though)2 x 4mm silver plated jump rings
Rose Quartz is the stone of unconditionalloveIt purifies and opens the heart helping thewearer to love themselves as well as others
Rose Quartz draws off negative energy andhelps release unexpressed emotions
Encourages self forgiveness and acceptanceaids self trust and self worth
I find it easier to use a macrame board for making this type of bracelet as it make it easier tokeep the design neat but its not essential I use a simple board made from a cork notice boardand pins I also use nylon nosed pliers to fold over the necklace ends as I find metal pliers oftenleave marks but again they arent essential
Step 2 Thread a chip bead onto each of the outer lengths ofcord
Step 3 Cross the outer cordsover the middle one as youwould in a braid Then braid thecords again
Step 1 Attach one of thenecklace ends to one end ofthe three lengths of CyloncordYou can then use the hole inthe end to attach the braceletto your board
Make a Rose Quartz Bracelet
Step 6 Attach the secondnecklace end to the three cordwithout cutting them as it makesit easier The ends can then betrimmed with a craft knife orsharp scissors
Step 7 Using the jump ringsattach the clasp to one end ofthe bracelet and the clasp tagto the other
Step 4 Thread two chip beadson to the new outer lengths ofcord and braid as in the previousstep
Step 5 Repeat step three and four untilthe bracelet reaches seven inchesor your desired length
(The clasp section will measureapproximately one inch)
If the cord ends become frayed they canbe fixed with a little super glue
Step 8 And there you areOne finished rose quartzbracelet
Would you like to share a craft project with Creative Crafting
Let us know what project you would like toshare with us
Anything from jewellery knitting and crochetcrafts paper crafts or a craft you feel hasbeen forgotten about
Email thecrystalladycreative-craftingcom
Written by Elderberry Artshttpwwwelderberryartscouk
To those who are not yet aware Prince William and Kate Middleton will tie the knot this month onFriday 29th April in a quiet little ceremony at Westminster Abbey To some this may mean getting aday off to celebrate the nuptials or actually attend the whole affair To others like myself who areself-employed there will be no day off and hence little difference from a normal day but we can stillbe happy for the two love birds entering a state of marital bliss for the first timeIn these uncertain economic times I am not sure how the Royal Wedding will affect the economyhow much money will people want to spend Will this mean street parties like those that dominatemany peoplersquos memories from Prince Charles and Dianarsquos wedding back in 1981 Will there be arush to purchase ridiculously crass lsquosouvenirrsquo mugs plates tea towels or will the market just not bethere at all with all the unsold Royal Wedding goods in the pound shops by JuneThe handmade and crafting sector needs to be aware of the sales potential created by this Royalevent and so products should be made available to support the celebrations and possibly make thecountry feel good about itself again Maybe a lovely warm spring day in April will be good for thecountry and make it forget its economic woes for a few hoursWe asked a number of our sellers about their experience of the last big Royal Wedding (Charles andDiana) and what they are going to do this time to celebrate There were mixed feelings ndash manywere too young to remember much about the 1981 event and even though I remember a day offfrom school I cannot remember any street parties or spontaneous Mardi Gras This time around Ithink money will be a big factor and most people will not stray too far from a bit of home baking inred white and blue and also a show of patriotic bunting Union Jacks are quite the lsquoin thingrsquo at themoment for interior design and so a patriotic statement may double as being hip and trendy
Kim Lampard of Zigzag Bunting thinks a great way tocelebrate the Royal Wedding is to make your own buntingShe suggests pulling together a pile of fabrics that you nolonger need but that hold cherished memories for you forexample your daughterrsquos first cute dress a tea-towel youbought on a special holiday an old bedspread made by your
Granny Even if the items are damaged so cannot be passed on to others there is always a littlecorner that can be cut up into a triangle to make a bunting flag Mix a few of these together and ifyou have enough for a colour scheme (such as red white and blue) fine but donrsquot worry the flagsdonrsquot even need to be the same size Sometimes a shabby chic lsquoMix and Matchrsquo approach turns outto be perfect Sew the fabric triangles onto a piece of ribbon or bias tape and you will have awonderful string of bunting to decorate for the special day You and your family will remember notonly the Royal Wedding when you bring out that bunting but have extra glimpses of their past inthe fabrics Definitely a memento to cherish
Gaye Weekes of A amp V Designs now lives in Snowdonia North Wales and onlyan hour away from Anglesey where the Royal couple will begin their marriedlife She has no doubt had that His Highness has been hovering over theirremote valley in his helicopter over recent months Gaye plans to be flying redwhite and green Welsh bunting for the wedding Her bunting is made fromvintage fabric from the 1950s and 1960s - a cotton heavy woven greenand cream floral and a jolly red and white gingham She adds ldquo
rdquo
This article was written by
from
httpwwwwowthankyoucouk
Karine Ait-Mohamed of The Pink Fairy Cake isFrench but now lives in England She says ldquo
rdquo In the spirit of the occasion Karinehas produced a product that combines both England and France into the celebration Shehas produced sets of two Union Jack hearts filled with lavender from Chateau la Gabelle inHaute-Provence
Lisa MacDonald of LisaMollyMacDonaldis quite enthusiastic about the weddingand getting caught up in the glamour of the
occasion ldquo
rdquo
Lou Carswell of Loubie Jewels has some prettyfantastic red white and blue jewellery which wouldbe suitable for a Royal wedding celebration She told
us ldquo
rdquo
So what can we gather from these observations It will be a nice idea to celebrate the RoyalWedding If we apply a little lsquowartimersquo austerity (handmade lends itself to recycling andupcycling) we shouldnrsquot have to spend a fortune We can step back from commercialism andbe involved in a low key but meaningful way that will make the event more memorable for itssimplicity and just a little thrift God Bless William and Kate
Tell us about yourself
My name is Sandra Ritchie I live in Cleethorpes UK with my husbandJason my 10 year old daughter Alisha my 2 year old son Alfred andour dog Dumbledore Primarily I am a housewife but in my sparetime I make jewellery of all kinds from beaded pieces to metal workbut mainly I make custom-made bespoke precious metal jewellery
When did your crafting begin and why
Many years ago I studied Jewellery and Metal Art at college andover time Ive collected the tools I needed but never got round tosetting up a workroom until 2009 when my Husband pointed outthat our Utility Room would be perfect for me to set up as aworkroom to start making jewellery again It seemed ideal Ialready had people interested in me making them some jewelleryand it meant I could stay at home and look after the children as wellas try to establish a name for myself as a Jewellery designermaker
What was the first item you made to sell online
The first item I made to sell whilst not specifically to sell online was asilver octopus necklace commissioned by an acquaintance of mine thathad seen the silver octopus necklace that I made for myself whilst atcollege and wanted one like it She has since purchased the silver andcopper entwined Dragon necklace and a commissioned silver Dragonand is back on my list for another piece to be made My number onefan I think
What is your biggest crafting achievement and why
I love all the pieces Ive created especially my Custom work but myfavourite piece of all is the Greenman necklace I was approached tomake something as a surprise for someone and was basically giventhe opportunity to produce something different to my usual pieces Ilove making pieces that are based on peoples ideas of what theywant that is really special but the Greenman necklace was mydesign based on what the customer wanted it to represent I had toteach myself etching for the piece as its something Id never learntand Im really pleased with how it worked out
Other than crafting what else do you like to do
I love spending time with my children and family I love baking andcooking too and I suppose I should admit to enjoying the oddrelaxing glass (or bottle) of nice wine when the children are in bed
wwwlittlefairycultcouk
Where would you like to be in 5 years
In 5 years time Id love to be in a better financial position so I canbuy silver and make silver jewellery to sell that isnt just Custom-made Ive started sneaking a few pieces of precious metal jewellerythat are for general sale onto my site
Where does your inspiration come from
My inspiration is usually from the customers themselves They tell mewhat it is they want and I design a piece to reflect that Sometimes theyalter the design slightly to reflect more of how they want it and that isfine For my bead jewellery its usually what beads I have in myworkroom that inspire my beaded pieces I very rarely buy beads for thereason that I have a design idea and usually just buy mixed lots of beadsand work with what I have
What are your favourite materials and why
I really love working with precious metals There is somethinguniquely satisfying about taking a flat sheet of metal and turning itinto a beautiful piece of jewellery Thats why I take pictures of thepieces as I am making them so that other people and the customerwhos item it is can enjoy seeing it progress from a blank piece ofprecious metal into the finished piece
What is favourite shop online that isnrsquot yours and why
Oh my There are so many amazing websites offering beautiful andunique handmade items but I will always take a look at Etsy to see ifthere is anything that catches my eye on there They have such a largevariety of designerssellers making almost everything but the kitchen sink(though I bet if you looked hard enough youd find one on there) Ireally enjoy the little treasuries they do too where you can browse aselection of items that are grouped together by themes
Has any person helped or supported you more than any other
I have had a lot of support from the good friends I have gained on Twitter and of coursemy real life friends have been extremely supportive too but the main reason I actuallysorted out my workroom (or corner of the utility room) was due to my husband insistingthat I start making jewellery again Luckily his insistence and support paid off virtuallystraight away when a friend asked for the octopus necklace I mentioned earlier to bemade
Tell us a random fact about yourself
I have known the sex of each child and whether Id be carrying one or more before I evenconceived them Fairly random but fact nevertheless
Kit includes seed beads 5 x handmade glass beads choker wire x 3 banglewire x 2 ring wire x 3 jewellery pliers beading mat instructions
Makes 8 fabulous and individual pieces of jewellery without the need forfiddly findings books or other money-wasters
Beaded Jewellery Kitpound12Japan Crafts
A coordinating selection of beads plus step-by-step full colour instructions to make your own version of the Jungle Collar design Learn how to work peyote stitch edge it with drops and embellish it with a lush fringe and beaded flowers and leaves Let your beading imagination run wild
Each kit is hand-picked and slightly different so the beads you receive may not be the exact onesshown in the photograph but you can be certain that your necklace will be uniqueThe kit comes carefully packaged in a handy reusable storage box the only things yoursquoll need inaddition are a beading needle a spool of nylon beading thread and some sharp scissors
Beadweaving Kit for Jungle Collar
pound38Lynn Davy
Fairy Earrings Jewellery Making Kit - Ages 7yrs+
pound5Jewellery Making Kits
These single kits are fabulous for all crafty and creative girls They also make great presents for school friends nieces sisters or even grown ups Each kit includes Sterling Silver earwires or studs a small selection of flowers for the skirt a pair of wings a few coloured glass pearls for the heads silver headpin Organza Bag Full set of instructionsSuitable for ages 7 years and up Requires a pair of pliers to finish off - all instructions included
Bracelet Kit - Chunky Swarovski Pearl and Crystal with Toggle Clasp
pound750Wonderstuff Craft Kits
A little kit of bronze Swarovski pearls and Golden Shadow Swarovski crystals silk and toggle clasp
Kit includes 11 x Swarovski 12mm Pearls Colour - Soft Bronze 3 x Swarovski Crystal 8mm Rondelles - Colour - Golden Shadow 8 x Swarovski Crystal 4mmBicones Colour - Light Colorado Topaz 1 x Silver Plated Toggle Bar 1 x Silver plated Toggle RingBracelet length of threading silk Instructions
This kit contains top quality beads to make an exquisite braceletno special tools are needed
Jewellery making kits
from the small crafterWersquove found a selection of wonderful beading kits for allages and experience These are not massed producedsets but offered by the small crafter
This article was created by The Crystal Lady httpwwwmysticearthcouk
This Months
This months lsquoMan of the Monthrsquo is Ade (Adrian)EdmondsonChosen by MegampMillie
This months lsquoLady of the Monthrsquo is GwenStefaniChosen by Claire Pearcy from Elderberry Arts
httpwwwgwenstefanicom
httpwwwunrealitytvcouklets-dance-for-comic-relieflets-dance-for-comic-relief-results-ade-edmondson-and-eighties-super-group-make-next-weeks-final
(Nothing like an April Fools)
This months lsquoBlog of the Month Awardrsquo goes to lsquoItrsquos All Fiddle Fartrsquo
httpitsallfiddlefartblogspotcom
This months lsquoShop of the Month Awardrsquo goes to lsquoJulias DriftwoodFurniturersquo
httpwwwfolksycomshopsseasandview123
ww
wc
reativ
e-cr
afting
co
mw
ww
cr
eative-c
on
nec
tion
snin
gc
om
CREATIVE CRAFTING
Our next issue will be available to read on
1st June 2010If you have missed any of our issues you
can find them to read on our websitewwwcreative-craftingcom
And also on our Social Network Creative Connectionswwwcreative-connectionsningcom
To advertise in Creative Crafting or to submit an article please contact Annaat thecrystalladycreative-craftingcom
AUGUSTSUMMER 2010
Issue 5
By Crafters for Crafters
Check out our
CraftersDirectory
CREATIVE CRAFTING
By Crafters for Crafters
Issue 3
ValentinesMothers Day 2010
HandcraftedWeddingSpecial
Valentine ampMothers Day
Projects
Have youbeen
featured
By Crafters for Crafters
Issue 3ValentinesMothers Day 2010
Handcrafted
Wedding
SpecialValentine amp
Mothers Day
ProjectsHave you
been
featured
By
EASTER 2010
Issue 4
FATHERS DAY 2010
Issue 4
By Crafters for Crafters
Ch
eck out our
Craft
ersDirectory
AUGUSTSUMMER 2
010
Issu
e 5
By Craf
ters fo
r Craf
ters
Chec
k out our
Crafters
Directory
CREATIVE
C
RAFTINGAU
TUM
N H
ALLO
WEE
N 201
0Is
sue
7
CREA
TIVE
CRAF
TIN
G
By Craf
ters f
or C
rafter
s
Chec
k
out our
Craft
ersDirect
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An
niv
ersa
ry
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Donrsquot forget
All of our links andadverts are fullyclickable
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AUTUMN HALLOWEEN 2010
Issue 7CREATIVE CRAFTING
By Crafters for Crafters
Check out our
CraftersDirectory
Anniversary
Issue
CHRISTMAS 2010
Issue 8
By Crafters for Crafters
FATHERS DAY 2010
Issue 4
By Crafters for Crafters
Check out our
Crafters
Directory
EASTER 2010
Issue 4
By Crafters for Crafters
By Crafters for Crafters
VALENTINES 2011Issue 9
CREATIVE CRAFTING
There are a lot of different crafts to choose fromThis series of articles will discover some of the more unusual and also some
old world crafts that may have been almost forgotten
This article was created by
The Crystal Ladyhttpwwwmysticearthcouk
Sold by Amazon
Knitting with Dog Hairby Anne Montgomery
Contains easy step-by-step instructions for collecting cleaningstoring and spinning your dogs fur The book includes originalknitting patterns for the novice and the pro - from mittens toshawls to lace collars from your cats hair
How to Knit a Dog Hair Sweater
E-How
The brushed undercoat of a dog is called chiengora and can be used for knittingcrocheting or felting just like lambs wool or other yarn Dogs hair has been used forcenturies for weaving blankets and other coverings Dogs hair is much warmer thanwool Here is how to knit a sweater from dog hair
After the tutorial the writer goes on to leave a warning that dog hair is much warmerthan wool and an entire garment made of dog hair will be too hot to wear
I also found a very fascinating article about a lady called Laurie Moy on the Boulder DailyCamera website
Better a sweater from a dog you know and love than from a sheepyoull never meet
Warp and woof-woof Making clothes out of dog hair
Read more Boulder Daily Camera
This was discovered in an American newspaper by Creative Craftings Tinawe just had to tell you about it
I did some Googling about this and apparently there is quite alot about it I found a tutorial on the popular E-How site
Irsquom sure like me yoursquoll find this quite fascinatingIf any of our spinners out there fancy a go atcreating some yarn from their pooches we wouldlove to see some of the results It is also a greatidea for recycling all of that fluff that you areconstantly sweeping up off your sofa or yourcarpet There really is a use for most things afterall
Salt dough is so quick and easy (and therapeutic) to make endlessly adaptable a joy to sharewith the kids and has the advantage of being made from store-cupboard basics (although youcould make these projects in clay or fimo or even plasticine)The drawbacks are that it takes a while to cookpaintvarnish it will dissolve in wet or very dampconditions and will break if you drop it So allow yourself a couple of days to produce a finishedpiece and varnish thoroughly when decorated to protect against any damage
Making a Batch of Salt Dough
1 Mug of Table Salt2 Mugs of Plain FlourApprox 1 Mug of Tepid Water (Add final frac14 slowly)1 Tablespoon of Olive or Vegetable Oil (Optional)
Mix the flour and salt together in a bowlIf you are using oil (which helps to add elasticity but is optional and not necessary) add it to themug of water Add the water (with or without oil) to the salt and flour mixAdd most of the water stirring into the dry ingredients with a wooden spoon Add the last of thewater carefully as you will need more or less depending on humidity and the gradequality of theflourYou need to add enough to bind the ingredients without making it too sticky Empty onto a lightlyfloured surface and knead for at least ten minutes until the dough is smooth and slightly warm
A Few Tips for Modelling Salt DoughRoll out salt dough onto a lightly floured surface with a floured rolling pin or you could use abottle if you havent got a rolling pin Gently flattening salt dough with the heels of your hands willwork too but keep moving the dough to keep it even and turn it over to the fresh smooth sidejust before you begin cutting shapesKeep the thickness of your pieces under an inch much thicker than this and they wont hardenproperly in the middleUse a sharp knife to cut salt dough shapes but a blunt knife (or the back of a knife) is useful whenmarking lines onto the dough A scalpel or craft knife is best for cutting out intricate shapesUse pastry cutters plasticine moulds forks hair grips scrubbing brushes experiment withanything you have lying around the house
Cooking Salt DoughCook your salt dough pieces slowly in a very low oven The cooler and slower the better to preventdistortion in the cooking process These pieces were cooked at 140275 degrees or Gas Mark 1 forapproximately 2 hours but I often leave them all day in the oven at its lowest setting
Heartmade Gifts
Decorating Salt DoughYou can decorate your pieces before or after the cooking process Try adding food colouringherbs and spices tea or coffee to your dough as you knead it Or try painting your uncooked piecewith an egg wash for a lovely golden glowExperiment with various mediums on cooked pieces Gouache and acrylics work well but posterpaint is fine (if a little limited in colour variation) and you could try chalks felt tips or crayonsUse glue to add decorations including glitter sequins fabric bows tiny scraps of paper etcIts nice to leave the dough perfectly natural sometimes and sometimes a combination of naturaldough and painted areas works very wellVarnish thoroughly Any varnish will work I tend to use a spray varnish as a first coat to set thepaints then I add a few coats of a super store own brand wood varnish (If you need yourfinished piece to be especially waterproof try yacht varnish but be aware that it will tend tochange the colours making them yellowish)Use a small brush to get into all the nooks and crannies and allow each coat to dry thoroughlybefore applying the next one The more coats you apply the better protected your final pieceHowever unvarnished salt dough I have made for personal use (or the odd forgotten piece) hassurvived very well even in a slightly damp old house So dont let a lack of varnish deter you fromtrying salt dough But if you are creating a family heirloom four or five coats of a good varnish willensure it lasts for yearsTry these two Easter projects the ldquoEgg-stra Specialrdquo eggs are very quick and simple enough to dowith small children the primrose basket takes a while and is a little fiddly but well worth tryingand very easy to adapt by choosing your own flower or perhaps some other motif
~ Egg-stra Special Eggs ~
1 Form an egg shape from a small ball of dough by rolling in your hands and pressthis gently onto your baking tray(Its easier to build your salt dough pieces directly onto the tray you will use tocook them rather than try and move them while they are still uncooked I havebuilt my eggs onto the kitchen surface because it will be easier for you to see whatIm doing)
2 Roll out a piece of salt dough and use it to cover the bottom end of youregg like a blanket When you are happy with the position gently lift andrun a wet paintbrush between the two pieces to glue them together
3 Cut out an egg cup shape around your egg
4 Use a damp paintbrush to push the egg cup onto the eggand ensure it sticks
(A damp paintbrush also helps soften edges and blend any creases or cracks)
5 Uncurl an old metal paperclip and push into the dough to form a hangingloop You can use a piece of any wire I try and use paperclips or a piece of wire
coat-hanger as I like to recycle An alternative hanging method is to create a smallhole (or two holes for larger pieces) and thread a ribbon or piece of leather shoelacethrough the hole tying it to make a loop)
6 Cut out a small bow shape from a piece of flattened dough
7 Cut two ribbon ends from a rectangle of flattened dough
8 Use a wet paintbrush to layer the ribbon ends onto thetop of your egg
9 Attach the bow in position And add a small piece to the centre ofthe bow to finish
10 Cook
11 Decorate in whatever way takes your fancy hellip have fun
~ Primrose Basket ~
1 Cover a bowl in greaseproof paper and turn upside down onto your baking tray
2 Roll out some dough to approx 5mm thickness and cut into thin stripslong enough to cover your bowl
3 Lay four of these strips across the bottom ofyour bowl
4 Begin weaving four in the opposite direction by gently liftingalternate strips out of the way laying the cross strip and replacingthe lifted strips
5 Then add one strip to each side until you reach the edge of the bowl
6 Trim the edge with a knife or fold the stripsback to form a rough bowl lip You can indentsomething on the dough to secure anddecorate
7 Cook
8 Carefully remove the bowl and paper
9 Make primrose flowers and leaves and glue them to the rim with a wetpaintbrush replacing your bowl in the oven for a short whileLeaves ndash cut rough leaf shapes out of a piece of flatted dough and mark theveins and indent the edges with the back of a knifeFlowers ndash use a small heart cutter to cut 5 heart shapes and place on the rim with pointstogether indenting the centre with your fingertip and then marking with the end of a paintbrushPaint with whichever medium you prefer or have to hand I have used acrylics here leaving thebasket natural and painting the primrose leaves green and the flowers yellow adding someorange to the centres of the flowers while the yellow is still damp for a blurred effect
This article was written by Diannefrom Heartmade Gifts
Join Heartmade Gifts on Facebook
wwwheartmadegiftswordpresscom
Lilac Lace Heart LocketJewellery by Bina
Vintage Victorian StyledSweetheart Locket
Miss Bohemia
pound17
pound15
Emerald Bewitched
youmin
$40
The Bright Forest Locket
marisolspoon
$35
Cameral Locket
mydogandi
$2750
Creative CraftingFavourite
This article was created by
The Crystal Ladyhttpwwwmysticearthcouk
Lockets may sound very old fashioned but if you have a wander through thehandmade sites you will find a wealth of very modern and extremely beautifuldesigns Perfect for you to carry your loved ones with you wherever you go
Bee Joyful LocketThe Whimsical Wren
pound10
SteampunkWatch Mechanism
Locketedmdesigns
$85
Luscious LocketsLuscious Lockets
Who likes Chocolate CakeThis is a great recipe for Easter Mothers day or any other daylets admit it we all love chocolate
Ingredients
7 oz self raising flour8 oz caster sugar1 teaspoon of salt2 tablespoons of cocoa powder4 oz margarine2 eggs beaten with5 tablespoons evaporated milk5 tablespoons water1 teaspoon vanilla essence
1 Sift together flour sugar and salt and cocoa2 Rub in margarine3 Stir in eggs essence and liquids then beat well4 Grease and flour 2 8 inch cake tins divide the mixture between them5 Bake in a moderate over 325-350 F gas mark 3 about 35 minutes6 When cold sandwich together and cover in milk chocolate icing
Milk chocolate Icing
Ingredients
2 and a half oz margarine or butter4 tablespoons cocoa8 oz sieved icing sugar3 tablespoons hot milk1 teaspoon vanilla essence
Melt the margarine or butter and blend incocoa powder then stir in icing sugar milkand vanilla essence Beat until smooth andthick
We hope you all enjoy the recipe we would love to see anypictures of chocolate cakes that you make
Instructions
Instructions
Written and reviewed by Peggyrsquos Knitshttppeggyscollectionwebscom
By Sprinkles Sparkleshttpwwwsprinklessparklescouk
All prices are correct at the time of publication
Budget amp LuxurySpring special
Woodland DaffodilsCharm Bracelet
Coco Angel Rosepound1600
Spring Flower Hair ClipFlutter2me
pound450
Spring flowers broochDi Does Craft
pound800
Pink Spring Clutchfunky diva designs
pound1750
Cupcake BuntingCotton Cottage
pound1650
Purple TulipsWildrose Ridge
pound350
Chickadees and LilacsStained Glass WindowStained Glass Addie
pound4940
The Charlotte - SageRosalind Jamespound14500
Springtime 16 Crayon RollApple n Amos
pound509
Buttercup earrings in softyellow with peridot and brass
Goblins Marketpound401
Springtime DalaFolk Horse HangingDecoration - YellowCourt and Spark
pound400
D A P H N E - BrokenChina Plate Pendant
and Sterling Silver NecklaceDesigns by Mila
pound2228
To make the leaves
Using DK yarn and 300 mm hook make 5 leaves as follows
Rnd 1 9ch dc in 2nd ch 1htr in next ch 1tr in each of next 6ch 3ch ss in base of last tr worked
Now work on opposite side of stitches by turning the work
Rnd 2 3ch 1tr in each of next 6ch 1htr in next ch dc ss in top of first stFasten off and sew in loose ends
Materials
Small quantity of DK yarn I have used a yarn with awool-mix but any DK yarn of your choice will be suitableSmall quantity of kid mohair yarn (use two strands together)300 mm hook200 mm hookOne large buttonBrooch pinSewing needle
To make the small rose
Using a 200 mm hook and working two strands of kid mohair yarn together 13ch
Rnd 1 1tr 2ch 1tr in 4th ch (skip 2ch 1tr 2ch 1tr in next ch) 3 times (4 v- spaces)
Rnd 2 3ch 6tr into next v-space 1dc into space between v-spaces Continue with 6tr into eachv-space and 1dc in between spaces until end ss into last ch Fasten off
Roll the work with fingers from start to finish to create a small rose flower and sew together at thebase
Assembling the brooch
Turn the flower so the right side is facing up and sew the button in the centre of the flowerAttach the rose to the centre of the button as shown in diagram Sew a brooch pin to the back of theflower to complete the brooch
Arrange the 5 leaves to form a circle so thecorners of the leaves are touching Sew eachcorner together to form the petals of aflower
Turn the work so the wrong side is facing upand close the hole by sewing together withthe same DK yarn used to make the leaves
Crochet Flower Brooch
ch - chain stitchdc - double crochethtr - half treble crochetss - slip stitchtr - treble crochetst - stitch
Crochet Mobile PhoneiPod Cosy
Materials
50g Dk yarn in mustard colourSmall quantity of DK yarn in bright pink for picot edgingof cosy and small roseSmall quantity of DK yarn in sage green for leaves of roseflowerSize 300mm hook
Instructions for the cosy
The cosy can be made to fit a mobile phoneiPod of your choice
Pattern note the pattern is worked in dc throughout and worked in the round using the tapestrycrochet method of crochet This involves carrying a second yarn below the first making it verystrong
Foundation row
Using one strand of DK yarn in mustard make a chain that measures the width of your mobilephoneipod
Rnd 1 dc across row until the last chain 2dc in last chain Turn work
Rnd 2 Begin to carry a second strand of mustard yarn throughouteach round and every round from now on This yarn is not worked butcarried below the first strand of yarn
Work along the opposite side of the row just worked 1dc in first ch1ch in each chain until the last chain 2dc in last chain Now mark thelast stitch just worked with a different colour yarn so you can see theend of the round and keep moving this marker up to the last stitchworked
Rnd 3 Dc in each chain around working in spirals moving the stitchmarker as the piece grows Continue until the work measures thedesired length to fit the mobileiPod Fasten off and tie in loose ends
ch - chain stitchdc - double crochethtr - half treble crochetss - slip stitchtr - treble crochetst - stitch
Instructions for rose flower
Rnd 1 Using DK yarn in bright pink 1tr 2ch 1tr in 4th ch (skip 2ch1tr 2ch 1tr in next ch) 3 times (4 v- spaces)
Rnd 2 3ch 6tr into next v-space 1dc into space between v-spacesContinue with 6tr into each v-space and 1dc in between spaces untilend ss into last ch Fasten off
Roll the work with fingers from start to finish to create a small rose flower and sew together at thebase
Instructions for leaves
Using DK yarn and 300mm hook make 2 leaves as follows
Rnd 1 5ch dc in 2nd ch 1htr in next ch 1tr in each of next 2ch 3ch ss in base of last tr workedNow work on opposite side of stitches by turning the work
Rnd 2 3ch 1tr in each of next 2 ch 1htr in next ch dc ss in top of first st Fasten off and sew inloose ends
Assembly
Sew the leaves to the reverse of the rose and attach to the cosy as shown in the picture
Picot edging
Rnd 1 Using DK yarn in bright pink dc into each stitch around the edge of the cosy opening ss tofirst dc
Rnd 2 3ch ss into 2nd chain from hook ss into base of 3ch dc into next 2ch 3ch continuefrom to ss into last ch Fasten off and sew in loose ends
Written by Andrea Lesley Crochethttpwwwfolksycomshopsandrealesleycrochet
Materials
T - shirt - colour your choiceScissorsChainSewing needle and threadCorsage or embellishments
Step 1 First get a plain whitet-shirt
Step 2 Then cut off the neck Step 3 Now sew two pieces of chain to each side of where theneckline should be
Step 4 Cut a triangle out ofthe bottom of the t-shirt
Step 5 Tie the two ends thatare left into a knot or bow
Step 6 Finally add a corsageor flower to the front
Step 7 Now you have a bang on trend crop top simply wear over a vest top I loved designing andgokking up this t-shirt it took minutes and didnt cost a lot either
Corsage made by Madam SalamihttpwwwetsycomshopMadamSalami
Written By Heidi Jackson
Favourite finds from around the crafting communityThis months focus is Easter and Spring
Click on the images to take you to their store
Online StreetMISI
Ring With A FlowerBlue Fish Handmade
pound800
Spring necklace in glassand sterling silver
RosieJo Jewellerypound1275
Easter Eggs CardNaomi Constable
pound250
FOLKSY
Easter rabbit cushionwith choccie eggs
Phoebelinas Treasurespound500
Easter Knitted BagsFluerette
pound300
Small Gorgeous FeltSpring Bouquets
Spare Minute Productionspound2000
WOW THANK YOU
Green And Brown PetalFlower Bracelet
Sprinkles Sparklespound3750 inc pampp
Handmade Pink Canvas Wall Art(Set of 3)
Craft on Canvaspound3900 inc pampp
Blue Easter ChickDharmapaintings
pound12 20 inc pampp
All prices correct at the time of publication
Favourite finds from around the crafting communityThis months focus is Easter and Spring
Click on the images to take you to their store
Best PicksUGLY BE GONE
Handpainted DottyDolly Pegs
Ticketty Boopound650
Quirky Motifs ShopperRachael Taylor
pound1500
Collette the Cow BibBaby Boutique
pound1100
The Cutie Pie - recycledpaper butterfly shadow boxThe WingSpan Collection
pound6421
Easter 1 Square PendantHappy Easter Spring Flowers
Miss Gooseberry Pendantspound321
ETSY
RETROEasterplastic springfling daisy clip-on earringsamber brown makes art
pound208ARTFIRE
Easter Egg Mini Cards 2x2 6Peculiar Parchment
pound170
Spring Chicks - Little FusedGlass Dish - Easter Gift
First Light Glasspound926
4 Chocolate Easter ParadeBunny Lollipops extra large
Candy Cottagepound741
All prices correct at the time of publication
What you will need3 x 10 inch lengths of purple Cylon cord10mm silver plated lobster clasp and clasp tag2 x silver plated fold over necklace endsApprox 24 Rose Quartz gemstone chip beads(holes need to be large enough to thread onelength of the cylon cord though)2 x 4mm silver plated jump rings
Rose Quartz is the stone of unconditionalloveIt purifies and opens the heart helping thewearer to love themselves as well as others
Rose Quartz draws off negative energy andhelps release unexpressed emotions
Encourages self forgiveness and acceptanceaids self trust and self worth
I find it easier to use a macrame board for making this type of bracelet as it make it easier tokeep the design neat but its not essential I use a simple board made from a cork notice boardand pins I also use nylon nosed pliers to fold over the necklace ends as I find metal pliers oftenleave marks but again they arent essential
Step 2 Thread a chip bead onto each of the outer lengths ofcord
Step 3 Cross the outer cordsover the middle one as youwould in a braid Then braid thecords again
Step 1 Attach one of thenecklace ends to one end ofthe three lengths of CyloncordYou can then use the hole inthe end to attach the braceletto your board
Make a Rose Quartz Bracelet
Step 6 Attach the secondnecklace end to the three cordwithout cutting them as it makesit easier The ends can then betrimmed with a craft knife orsharp scissors
Step 7 Using the jump ringsattach the clasp to one end ofthe bracelet and the clasp tagto the other
Step 4 Thread two chip beadson to the new outer lengths ofcord and braid as in the previousstep
Step 5 Repeat step three and four untilthe bracelet reaches seven inchesor your desired length
(The clasp section will measureapproximately one inch)
If the cord ends become frayed they canbe fixed with a little super glue
Step 8 And there you areOne finished rose quartzbracelet
Would you like to share a craft project with Creative Crafting
Let us know what project you would like toshare with us
Anything from jewellery knitting and crochetcrafts paper crafts or a craft you feel hasbeen forgotten about
Email thecrystalladycreative-craftingcom
Written by Elderberry Artshttpwwwelderberryartscouk
To those who are not yet aware Prince William and Kate Middleton will tie the knot this month onFriday 29th April in a quiet little ceremony at Westminster Abbey To some this may mean getting aday off to celebrate the nuptials or actually attend the whole affair To others like myself who areself-employed there will be no day off and hence little difference from a normal day but we can stillbe happy for the two love birds entering a state of marital bliss for the first timeIn these uncertain economic times I am not sure how the Royal Wedding will affect the economyhow much money will people want to spend Will this mean street parties like those that dominatemany peoplersquos memories from Prince Charles and Dianarsquos wedding back in 1981 Will there be arush to purchase ridiculously crass lsquosouvenirrsquo mugs plates tea towels or will the market just not bethere at all with all the unsold Royal Wedding goods in the pound shops by JuneThe handmade and crafting sector needs to be aware of the sales potential created by this Royalevent and so products should be made available to support the celebrations and possibly make thecountry feel good about itself again Maybe a lovely warm spring day in April will be good for thecountry and make it forget its economic woes for a few hoursWe asked a number of our sellers about their experience of the last big Royal Wedding (Charles andDiana) and what they are going to do this time to celebrate There were mixed feelings ndash manywere too young to remember much about the 1981 event and even though I remember a day offfrom school I cannot remember any street parties or spontaneous Mardi Gras This time around Ithink money will be a big factor and most people will not stray too far from a bit of home baking inred white and blue and also a show of patriotic bunting Union Jacks are quite the lsquoin thingrsquo at themoment for interior design and so a patriotic statement may double as being hip and trendy
Kim Lampard of Zigzag Bunting thinks a great way tocelebrate the Royal Wedding is to make your own buntingShe suggests pulling together a pile of fabrics that you nolonger need but that hold cherished memories for you forexample your daughterrsquos first cute dress a tea-towel youbought on a special holiday an old bedspread made by your
Granny Even if the items are damaged so cannot be passed on to others there is always a littlecorner that can be cut up into a triangle to make a bunting flag Mix a few of these together and ifyou have enough for a colour scheme (such as red white and blue) fine but donrsquot worry the flagsdonrsquot even need to be the same size Sometimes a shabby chic lsquoMix and Matchrsquo approach turns outto be perfect Sew the fabric triangles onto a piece of ribbon or bias tape and you will have awonderful string of bunting to decorate for the special day You and your family will remember notonly the Royal Wedding when you bring out that bunting but have extra glimpses of their past inthe fabrics Definitely a memento to cherish
Gaye Weekes of A amp V Designs now lives in Snowdonia North Wales and onlyan hour away from Anglesey where the Royal couple will begin their marriedlife She has no doubt had that His Highness has been hovering over theirremote valley in his helicopter over recent months Gaye plans to be flying redwhite and green Welsh bunting for the wedding Her bunting is made fromvintage fabric from the 1950s and 1960s - a cotton heavy woven greenand cream floral and a jolly red and white gingham She adds ldquo
rdquo
This article was written by
from
httpwwwwowthankyoucouk
Karine Ait-Mohamed of The Pink Fairy Cake isFrench but now lives in England She says ldquo
rdquo In the spirit of the occasion Karinehas produced a product that combines both England and France into the celebration Shehas produced sets of two Union Jack hearts filled with lavender from Chateau la Gabelle inHaute-Provence
Lisa MacDonald of LisaMollyMacDonaldis quite enthusiastic about the weddingand getting caught up in the glamour of the
occasion ldquo
rdquo
Lou Carswell of Loubie Jewels has some prettyfantastic red white and blue jewellery which wouldbe suitable for a Royal wedding celebration She told
us ldquo
rdquo
So what can we gather from these observations It will be a nice idea to celebrate the RoyalWedding If we apply a little lsquowartimersquo austerity (handmade lends itself to recycling andupcycling) we shouldnrsquot have to spend a fortune We can step back from commercialism andbe involved in a low key but meaningful way that will make the event more memorable for itssimplicity and just a little thrift God Bless William and Kate
Tell us about yourself
My name is Sandra Ritchie I live in Cleethorpes UK with my husbandJason my 10 year old daughter Alisha my 2 year old son Alfred andour dog Dumbledore Primarily I am a housewife but in my sparetime I make jewellery of all kinds from beaded pieces to metal workbut mainly I make custom-made bespoke precious metal jewellery
When did your crafting begin and why
Many years ago I studied Jewellery and Metal Art at college andover time Ive collected the tools I needed but never got round tosetting up a workroom until 2009 when my Husband pointed outthat our Utility Room would be perfect for me to set up as aworkroom to start making jewellery again It seemed ideal Ialready had people interested in me making them some jewelleryand it meant I could stay at home and look after the children as wellas try to establish a name for myself as a Jewellery designermaker
What was the first item you made to sell online
The first item I made to sell whilst not specifically to sell online was asilver octopus necklace commissioned by an acquaintance of mine thathad seen the silver octopus necklace that I made for myself whilst atcollege and wanted one like it She has since purchased the silver andcopper entwined Dragon necklace and a commissioned silver Dragonand is back on my list for another piece to be made My number onefan I think
What is your biggest crafting achievement and why
I love all the pieces Ive created especially my Custom work but myfavourite piece of all is the Greenman necklace I was approached tomake something as a surprise for someone and was basically giventhe opportunity to produce something different to my usual pieces Ilove making pieces that are based on peoples ideas of what theywant that is really special but the Greenman necklace was mydesign based on what the customer wanted it to represent I had toteach myself etching for the piece as its something Id never learntand Im really pleased with how it worked out
Other than crafting what else do you like to do
I love spending time with my children and family I love baking andcooking too and I suppose I should admit to enjoying the oddrelaxing glass (or bottle) of nice wine when the children are in bed
wwwlittlefairycultcouk
Where would you like to be in 5 years
In 5 years time Id love to be in a better financial position so I canbuy silver and make silver jewellery to sell that isnt just Custom-made Ive started sneaking a few pieces of precious metal jewellerythat are for general sale onto my site
Where does your inspiration come from
My inspiration is usually from the customers themselves They tell mewhat it is they want and I design a piece to reflect that Sometimes theyalter the design slightly to reflect more of how they want it and that isfine For my bead jewellery its usually what beads I have in myworkroom that inspire my beaded pieces I very rarely buy beads for thereason that I have a design idea and usually just buy mixed lots of beadsand work with what I have
What are your favourite materials and why
I really love working with precious metals There is somethinguniquely satisfying about taking a flat sheet of metal and turning itinto a beautiful piece of jewellery Thats why I take pictures of thepieces as I am making them so that other people and the customerwhos item it is can enjoy seeing it progress from a blank piece ofprecious metal into the finished piece
What is favourite shop online that isnrsquot yours and why
Oh my There are so many amazing websites offering beautiful andunique handmade items but I will always take a look at Etsy to see ifthere is anything that catches my eye on there They have such a largevariety of designerssellers making almost everything but the kitchen sink(though I bet if you looked hard enough youd find one on there) Ireally enjoy the little treasuries they do too where you can browse aselection of items that are grouped together by themes
Has any person helped or supported you more than any other
I have had a lot of support from the good friends I have gained on Twitter and of coursemy real life friends have been extremely supportive too but the main reason I actuallysorted out my workroom (or corner of the utility room) was due to my husband insistingthat I start making jewellery again Luckily his insistence and support paid off virtuallystraight away when a friend asked for the octopus necklace I mentioned earlier to bemade
Tell us a random fact about yourself
I have known the sex of each child and whether Id be carrying one or more before I evenconceived them Fairly random but fact nevertheless
Kit includes seed beads 5 x handmade glass beads choker wire x 3 banglewire x 2 ring wire x 3 jewellery pliers beading mat instructions
Makes 8 fabulous and individual pieces of jewellery without the need forfiddly findings books or other money-wasters
Beaded Jewellery Kitpound12Japan Crafts
A coordinating selection of beads plus step-by-step full colour instructions to make your own version of the Jungle Collar design Learn how to work peyote stitch edge it with drops and embellish it with a lush fringe and beaded flowers and leaves Let your beading imagination run wild
Each kit is hand-picked and slightly different so the beads you receive may not be the exact onesshown in the photograph but you can be certain that your necklace will be uniqueThe kit comes carefully packaged in a handy reusable storage box the only things yoursquoll need inaddition are a beading needle a spool of nylon beading thread and some sharp scissors
Beadweaving Kit for Jungle Collar
pound38Lynn Davy
Fairy Earrings Jewellery Making Kit - Ages 7yrs+
pound5Jewellery Making Kits
These single kits are fabulous for all crafty and creative girls They also make great presents for school friends nieces sisters or even grown ups Each kit includes Sterling Silver earwires or studs a small selection of flowers for the skirt a pair of wings a few coloured glass pearls for the heads silver headpin Organza Bag Full set of instructionsSuitable for ages 7 years and up Requires a pair of pliers to finish off - all instructions included
Bracelet Kit - Chunky Swarovski Pearl and Crystal with Toggle Clasp
pound750Wonderstuff Craft Kits
A little kit of bronze Swarovski pearls and Golden Shadow Swarovski crystals silk and toggle clasp
Kit includes 11 x Swarovski 12mm Pearls Colour - Soft Bronze 3 x Swarovski Crystal 8mm Rondelles - Colour - Golden Shadow 8 x Swarovski Crystal 4mmBicones Colour - Light Colorado Topaz 1 x Silver Plated Toggle Bar 1 x Silver plated Toggle RingBracelet length of threading silk Instructions
This kit contains top quality beads to make an exquisite braceletno special tools are needed
Jewellery making kits
from the small crafterWersquove found a selection of wonderful beading kits for allages and experience These are not massed producedsets but offered by the small crafter
This article was created by The Crystal Lady httpwwwmysticearthcouk
This Months
This months lsquoMan of the Monthrsquo is Ade (Adrian)EdmondsonChosen by MegampMillie
This months lsquoLady of the Monthrsquo is GwenStefaniChosen by Claire Pearcy from Elderberry Arts
httpwwwgwenstefanicom
httpwwwunrealitytvcouklets-dance-for-comic-relieflets-dance-for-comic-relief-results-ade-edmondson-and-eighties-super-group-make-next-weeks-final
(Nothing like an April Fools)
This months lsquoBlog of the Month Awardrsquo goes to lsquoItrsquos All Fiddle Fartrsquo
httpitsallfiddlefartblogspotcom
This months lsquoShop of the Month Awardrsquo goes to lsquoJulias DriftwoodFurniturersquo
httpwwwfolksycomshopsseasandview123
ww
wc
reativ
e-cr
afting
co
mw
ww
cr
eative-c
on
nec
tion
snin
gc
om
CREATIVE CRAFTING
Our next issue will be available to read on
1st June 2010If you have missed any of our issues you
can find them to read on our websitewwwcreative-craftingcom
And also on our Social Network Creative Connectionswwwcreative-connectionsningcom
To advertise in Creative Crafting or to submit an article please contact Annaat thecrystalladycreative-craftingcom
AUGUSTSUMMER 2010
Issue 5
By Crafters for Crafters
Check out our
CraftersDirectory
CREATIVE CRAFTING
By Crafters for Crafters
Issue 3
ValentinesMothers Day 2010
HandcraftedWeddingSpecial
Valentine ampMothers Day
Projects
Have youbeen
featured
By Crafters for Crafters
Issue 3ValentinesMothers Day 2010
Handcrafted
Wedding
SpecialValentine amp
Mothers Day
ProjectsHave you
been
featured
By
EASTER 2010
Issue 4
FATHERS DAY 2010
Issue 4
By Crafters for Crafters
Ch
eck out our
Craft
ersDirectory
AUGUSTSUMMER 2
010
Issu
e 5
By Craf
ters fo
r Craf
ters
Chec
k out our
Crafters
Directory
CREATIVE
C
RAFTINGAU
TUM
N H
ALLO
WEE
N 201
0Is
sue
7
CREA
TIVE
CRAF
TIN
G
By Craf
ters f
or C
rafter
s
Chec
k
out our
Craft
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AUTUMN HALLOWEEN 2010
Issue 7CREATIVE CRAFTING
By Crafters for Crafters
Check out our
CraftersDirectory
Anniversary
Issue
CHRISTMAS 2010
Issue 8
By Crafters for Crafters
FATHERS DAY 2010
Issue 4
By Crafters for Crafters
Check out our
Crafters
Directory
EASTER 2010
Issue 4
By Crafters for Crafters
By Crafters for Crafters
VALENTINES 2011Issue 9
CREATIVE CRAFTING
Salt dough is so quick and easy (and therapeutic) to make endlessly adaptable a joy to sharewith the kids and has the advantage of being made from store-cupboard basics (although youcould make these projects in clay or fimo or even plasticine)The drawbacks are that it takes a while to cookpaintvarnish it will dissolve in wet or very dampconditions and will break if you drop it So allow yourself a couple of days to produce a finishedpiece and varnish thoroughly when decorated to protect against any damage
Making a Batch of Salt Dough
1 Mug of Table Salt2 Mugs of Plain FlourApprox 1 Mug of Tepid Water (Add final frac14 slowly)1 Tablespoon of Olive or Vegetable Oil (Optional)
Mix the flour and salt together in a bowlIf you are using oil (which helps to add elasticity but is optional and not necessary) add it to themug of water Add the water (with or without oil) to the salt and flour mixAdd most of the water stirring into the dry ingredients with a wooden spoon Add the last of thewater carefully as you will need more or less depending on humidity and the gradequality of theflourYou need to add enough to bind the ingredients without making it too sticky Empty onto a lightlyfloured surface and knead for at least ten minutes until the dough is smooth and slightly warm
A Few Tips for Modelling Salt DoughRoll out salt dough onto a lightly floured surface with a floured rolling pin or you could use abottle if you havent got a rolling pin Gently flattening salt dough with the heels of your hands willwork too but keep moving the dough to keep it even and turn it over to the fresh smooth sidejust before you begin cutting shapesKeep the thickness of your pieces under an inch much thicker than this and they wont hardenproperly in the middleUse a sharp knife to cut salt dough shapes but a blunt knife (or the back of a knife) is useful whenmarking lines onto the dough A scalpel or craft knife is best for cutting out intricate shapesUse pastry cutters plasticine moulds forks hair grips scrubbing brushes experiment withanything you have lying around the house
Cooking Salt DoughCook your salt dough pieces slowly in a very low oven The cooler and slower the better to preventdistortion in the cooking process These pieces were cooked at 140275 degrees or Gas Mark 1 forapproximately 2 hours but I often leave them all day in the oven at its lowest setting
Heartmade Gifts
Decorating Salt DoughYou can decorate your pieces before or after the cooking process Try adding food colouringherbs and spices tea or coffee to your dough as you knead it Or try painting your uncooked piecewith an egg wash for a lovely golden glowExperiment with various mediums on cooked pieces Gouache and acrylics work well but posterpaint is fine (if a little limited in colour variation) and you could try chalks felt tips or crayonsUse glue to add decorations including glitter sequins fabric bows tiny scraps of paper etcIts nice to leave the dough perfectly natural sometimes and sometimes a combination of naturaldough and painted areas works very wellVarnish thoroughly Any varnish will work I tend to use a spray varnish as a first coat to set thepaints then I add a few coats of a super store own brand wood varnish (If you need yourfinished piece to be especially waterproof try yacht varnish but be aware that it will tend tochange the colours making them yellowish)Use a small brush to get into all the nooks and crannies and allow each coat to dry thoroughlybefore applying the next one The more coats you apply the better protected your final pieceHowever unvarnished salt dough I have made for personal use (or the odd forgotten piece) hassurvived very well even in a slightly damp old house So dont let a lack of varnish deter you fromtrying salt dough But if you are creating a family heirloom four or five coats of a good varnish willensure it lasts for yearsTry these two Easter projects the ldquoEgg-stra Specialrdquo eggs are very quick and simple enough to dowith small children the primrose basket takes a while and is a little fiddly but well worth tryingand very easy to adapt by choosing your own flower or perhaps some other motif
~ Egg-stra Special Eggs ~
1 Form an egg shape from a small ball of dough by rolling in your hands and pressthis gently onto your baking tray(Its easier to build your salt dough pieces directly onto the tray you will use tocook them rather than try and move them while they are still uncooked I havebuilt my eggs onto the kitchen surface because it will be easier for you to see whatIm doing)
2 Roll out a piece of salt dough and use it to cover the bottom end of youregg like a blanket When you are happy with the position gently lift andrun a wet paintbrush between the two pieces to glue them together
3 Cut out an egg cup shape around your egg
4 Use a damp paintbrush to push the egg cup onto the eggand ensure it sticks
(A damp paintbrush also helps soften edges and blend any creases or cracks)
5 Uncurl an old metal paperclip and push into the dough to form a hangingloop You can use a piece of any wire I try and use paperclips or a piece of wire
coat-hanger as I like to recycle An alternative hanging method is to create a smallhole (or two holes for larger pieces) and thread a ribbon or piece of leather shoelacethrough the hole tying it to make a loop)
6 Cut out a small bow shape from a piece of flattened dough
7 Cut two ribbon ends from a rectangle of flattened dough
8 Use a wet paintbrush to layer the ribbon ends onto thetop of your egg
9 Attach the bow in position And add a small piece to the centre ofthe bow to finish
10 Cook
11 Decorate in whatever way takes your fancy hellip have fun
~ Primrose Basket ~
1 Cover a bowl in greaseproof paper and turn upside down onto your baking tray
2 Roll out some dough to approx 5mm thickness and cut into thin stripslong enough to cover your bowl
3 Lay four of these strips across the bottom ofyour bowl
4 Begin weaving four in the opposite direction by gently liftingalternate strips out of the way laying the cross strip and replacingthe lifted strips
5 Then add one strip to each side until you reach the edge of the bowl
6 Trim the edge with a knife or fold the stripsback to form a rough bowl lip You can indentsomething on the dough to secure anddecorate
7 Cook
8 Carefully remove the bowl and paper
9 Make primrose flowers and leaves and glue them to the rim with a wetpaintbrush replacing your bowl in the oven for a short whileLeaves ndash cut rough leaf shapes out of a piece of flatted dough and mark theveins and indent the edges with the back of a knifeFlowers ndash use a small heart cutter to cut 5 heart shapes and place on the rim with pointstogether indenting the centre with your fingertip and then marking with the end of a paintbrushPaint with whichever medium you prefer or have to hand I have used acrylics here leaving thebasket natural and painting the primrose leaves green and the flowers yellow adding someorange to the centres of the flowers while the yellow is still damp for a blurred effect
This article was written by Diannefrom Heartmade Gifts
Join Heartmade Gifts on Facebook
wwwheartmadegiftswordpresscom
Lilac Lace Heart LocketJewellery by Bina
Vintage Victorian StyledSweetheart Locket
Miss Bohemia
pound17
pound15
Emerald Bewitched
youmin
$40
The Bright Forest Locket
marisolspoon
$35
Cameral Locket
mydogandi
$2750
Creative CraftingFavourite
This article was created by
The Crystal Ladyhttpwwwmysticearthcouk
Lockets may sound very old fashioned but if you have a wander through thehandmade sites you will find a wealth of very modern and extremely beautifuldesigns Perfect for you to carry your loved ones with you wherever you go
Bee Joyful LocketThe Whimsical Wren
pound10
SteampunkWatch Mechanism
Locketedmdesigns
$85
Luscious LocketsLuscious Lockets
Who likes Chocolate CakeThis is a great recipe for Easter Mothers day or any other daylets admit it we all love chocolate
Ingredients
7 oz self raising flour8 oz caster sugar1 teaspoon of salt2 tablespoons of cocoa powder4 oz margarine2 eggs beaten with5 tablespoons evaporated milk5 tablespoons water1 teaspoon vanilla essence
1 Sift together flour sugar and salt and cocoa2 Rub in margarine3 Stir in eggs essence and liquids then beat well4 Grease and flour 2 8 inch cake tins divide the mixture between them5 Bake in a moderate over 325-350 F gas mark 3 about 35 minutes6 When cold sandwich together and cover in milk chocolate icing
Milk chocolate Icing
Ingredients
2 and a half oz margarine or butter4 tablespoons cocoa8 oz sieved icing sugar3 tablespoons hot milk1 teaspoon vanilla essence
Melt the margarine or butter and blend incocoa powder then stir in icing sugar milkand vanilla essence Beat until smooth andthick
We hope you all enjoy the recipe we would love to see anypictures of chocolate cakes that you make
Instructions
Instructions
Written and reviewed by Peggyrsquos Knitshttppeggyscollectionwebscom
By Sprinkles Sparkleshttpwwwsprinklessparklescouk
All prices are correct at the time of publication
Budget amp LuxurySpring special
Woodland DaffodilsCharm Bracelet
Coco Angel Rosepound1600
Spring Flower Hair ClipFlutter2me
pound450
Spring flowers broochDi Does Craft
pound800
Pink Spring Clutchfunky diva designs
pound1750
Cupcake BuntingCotton Cottage
pound1650
Purple TulipsWildrose Ridge
pound350
Chickadees and LilacsStained Glass WindowStained Glass Addie
pound4940
The Charlotte - SageRosalind Jamespound14500
Springtime 16 Crayon RollApple n Amos
pound509
Buttercup earrings in softyellow with peridot and brass
Goblins Marketpound401
Springtime DalaFolk Horse HangingDecoration - YellowCourt and Spark
pound400
D A P H N E - BrokenChina Plate Pendant
and Sterling Silver NecklaceDesigns by Mila
pound2228
To make the leaves
Using DK yarn and 300 mm hook make 5 leaves as follows
Rnd 1 9ch dc in 2nd ch 1htr in next ch 1tr in each of next 6ch 3ch ss in base of last tr worked
Now work on opposite side of stitches by turning the work
Rnd 2 3ch 1tr in each of next 6ch 1htr in next ch dc ss in top of first stFasten off and sew in loose ends
Materials
Small quantity of DK yarn I have used a yarn with awool-mix but any DK yarn of your choice will be suitableSmall quantity of kid mohair yarn (use two strands together)300 mm hook200 mm hookOne large buttonBrooch pinSewing needle
To make the small rose
Using a 200 mm hook and working two strands of kid mohair yarn together 13ch
Rnd 1 1tr 2ch 1tr in 4th ch (skip 2ch 1tr 2ch 1tr in next ch) 3 times (4 v- spaces)
Rnd 2 3ch 6tr into next v-space 1dc into space between v-spaces Continue with 6tr into eachv-space and 1dc in between spaces until end ss into last ch Fasten off
Roll the work with fingers from start to finish to create a small rose flower and sew together at thebase
Assembling the brooch
Turn the flower so the right side is facing up and sew the button in the centre of the flowerAttach the rose to the centre of the button as shown in diagram Sew a brooch pin to the back of theflower to complete the brooch
Arrange the 5 leaves to form a circle so thecorners of the leaves are touching Sew eachcorner together to form the petals of aflower
Turn the work so the wrong side is facing upand close the hole by sewing together withthe same DK yarn used to make the leaves
Crochet Flower Brooch
ch - chain stitchdc - double crochethtr - half treble crochetss - slip stitchtr - treble crochetst - stitch
Crochet Mobile PhoneiPod Cosy
Materials
50g Dk yarn in mustard colourSmall quantity of DK yarn in bright pink for picot edgingof cosy and small roseSmall quantity of DK yarn in sage green for leaves of roseflowerSize 300mm hook
Instructions for the cosy
The cosy can be made to fit a mobile phoneiPod of your choice
Pattern note the pattern is worked in dc throughout and worked in the round using the tapestrycrochet method of crochet This involves carrying a second yarn below the first making it verystrong
Foundation row
Using one strand of DK yarn in mustard make a chain that measures the width of your mobilephoneipod
Rnd 1 dc across row until the last chain 2dc in last chain Turn work
Rnd 2 Begin to carry a second strand of mustard yarn throughouteach round and every round from now on This yarn is not worked butcarried below the first strand of yarn
Work along the opposite side of the row just worked 1dc in first ch1ch in each chain until the last chain 2dc in last chain Now mark thelast stitch just worked with a different colour yarn so you can see theend of the round and keep moving this marker up to the last stitchworked
Rnd 3 Dc in each chain around working in spirals moving the stitchmarker as the piece grows Continue until the work measures thedesired length to fit the mobileiPod Fasten off and tie in loose ends
ch - chain stitchdc - double crochethtr - half treble crochetss - slip stitchtr - treble crochetst - stitch
Instructions for rose flower
Rnd 1 Using DK yarn in bright pink 1tr 2ch 1tr in 4th ch (skip 2ch1tr 2ch 1tr in next ch) 3 times (4 v- spaces)
Rnd 2 3ch 6tr into next v-space 1dc into space between v-spacesContinue with 6tr into each v-space and 1dc in between spaces untilend ss into last ch Fasten off
Roll the work with fingers from start to finish to create a small rose flower and sew together at thebase
Instructions for leaves
Using DK yarn and 300mm hook make 2 leaves as follows
Rnd 1 5ch dc in 2nd ch 1htr in next ch 1tr in each of next 2ch 3ch ss in base of last tr workedNow work on opposite side of stitches by turning the work
Rnd 2 3ch 1tr in each of next 2 ch 1htr in next ch dc ss in top of first st Fasten off and sew inloose ends
Assembly
Sew the leaves to the reverse of the rose and attach to the cosy as shown in the picture
Picot edging
Rnd 1 Using DK yarn in bright pink dc into each stitch around the edge of the cosy opening ss tofirst dc
Rnd 2 3ch ss into 2nd chain from hook ss into base of 3ch dc into next 2ch 3ch continuefrom to ss into last ch Fasten off and sew in loose ends
Written by Andrea Lesley Crochethttpwwwfolksycomshopsandrealesleycrochet
Materials
T - shirt - colour your choiceScissorsChainSewing needle and threadCorsage or embellishments
Step 1 First get a plain whitet-shirt
Step 2 Then cut off the neck Step 3 Now sew two pieces of chain to each side of where theneckline should be
Step 4 Cut a triangle out ofthe bottom of the t-shirt
Step 5 Tie the two ends thatare left into a knot or bow
Step 6 Finally add a corsageor flower to the front
Step 7 Now you have a bang on trend crop top simply wear over a vest top I loved designing andgokking up this t-shirt it took minutes and didnt cost a lot either
Corsage made by Madam SalamihttpwwwetsycomshopMadamSalami
Written By Heidi Jackson
Favourite finds from around the crafting communityThis months focus is Easter and Spring
Click on the images to take you to their store
Online StreetMISI
Ring With A FlowerBlue Fish Handmade
pound800
Spring necklace in glassand sterling silver
RosieJo Jewellerypound1275
Easter Eggs CardNaomi Constable
pound250
FOLKSY
Easter rabbit cushionwith choccie eggs
Phoebelinas Treasurespound500
Easter Knitted BagsFluerette
pound300
Small Gorgeous FeltSpring Bouquets
Spare Minute Productionspound2000
WOW THANK YOU
Green And Brown PetalFlower Bracelet
Sprinkles Sparklespound3750 inc pampp
Handmade Pink Canvas Wall Art(Set of 3)
Craft on Canvaspound3900 inc pampp
Blue Easter ChickDharmapaintings
pound12 20 inc pampp
All prices correct at the time of publication
Favourite finds from around the crafting communityThis months focus is Easter and Spring
Click on the images to take you to their store
Best PicksUGLY BE GONE
Handpainted DottyDolly Pegs
Ticketty Boopound650
Quirky Motifs ShopperRachael Taylor
pound1500
Collette the Cow BibBaby Boutique
pound1100
The Cutie Pie - recycledpaper butterfly shadow boxThe WingSpan Collection
pound6421
Easter 1 Square PendantHappy Easter Spring Flowers
Miss Gooseberry Pendantspound321
ETSY
RETROEasterplastic springfling daisy clip-on earringsamber brown makes art
pound208ARTFIRE
Easter Egg Mini Cards 2x2 6Peculiar Parchment
pound170
Spring Chicks - Little FusedGlass Dish - Easter Gift
First Light Glasspound926
4 Chocolate Easter ParadeBunny Lollipops extra large
Candy Cottagepound741
All prices correct at the time of publication
What you will need3 x 10 inch lengths of purple Cylon cord10mm silver plated lobster clasp and clasp tag2 x silver plated fold over necklace endsApprox 24 Rose Quartz gemstone chip beads(holes need to be large enough to thread onelength of the cylon cord though)2 x 4mm silver plated jump rings
Rose Quartz is the stone of unconditionalloveIt purifies and opens the heart helping thewearer to love themselves as well as others
Rose Quartz draws off negative energy andhelps release unexpressed emotions
Encourages self forgiveness and acceptanceaids self trust and self worth
I find it easier to use a macrame board for making this type of bracelet as it make it easier tokeep the design neat but its not essential I use a simple board made from a cork notice boardand pins I also use nylon nosed pliers to fold over the necklace ends as I find metal pliers oftenleave marks but again they arent essential
Step 2 Thread a chip bead onto each of the outer lengths ofcord
Step 3 Cross the outer cordsover the middle one as youwould in a braid Then braid thecords again
Step 1 Attach one of thenecklace ends to one end ofthe three lengths of CyloncordYou can then use the hole inthe end to attach the braceletto your board
Make a Rose Quartz Bracelet
Step 6 Attach the secondnecklace end to the three cordwithout cutting them as it makesit easier The ends can then betrimmed with a craft knife orsharp scissors
Step 7 Using the jump ringsattach the clasp to one end ofthe bracelet and the clasp tagto the other
Step 4 Thread two chip beadson to the new outer lengths ofcord and braid as in the previousstep
Step 5 Repeat step three and four untilthe bracelet reaches seven inchesor your desired length
(The clasp section will measureapproximately one inch)
If the cord ends become frayed they canbe fixed with a little super glue
Step 8 And there you areOne finished rose quartzbracelet
Would you like to share a craft project with Creative Crafting
Let us know what project you would like toshare with us
Anything from jewellery knitting and crochetcrafts paper crafts or a craft you feel hasbeen forgotten about
Email thecrystalladycreative-craftingcom
Written by Elderberry Artshttpwwwelderberryartscouk
To those who are not yet aware Prince William and Kate Middleton will tie the knot this month onFriday 29th April in a quiet little ceremony at Westminster Abbey To some this may mean getting aday off to celebrate the nuptials or actually attend the whole affair To others like myself who areself-employed there will be no day off and hence little difference from a normal day but we can stillbe happy for the two love birds entering a state of marital bliss for the first timeIn these uncertain economic times I am not sure how the Royal Wedding will affect the economyhow much money will people want to spend Will this mean street parties like those that dominatemany peoplersquos memories from Prince Charles and Dianarsquos wedding back in 1981 Will there be arush to purchase ridiculously crass lsquosouvenirrsquo mugs plates tea towels or will the market just not bethere at all with all the unsold Royal Wedding goods in the pound shops by JuneThe handmade and crafting sector needs to be aware of the sales potential created by this Royalevent and so products should be made available to support the celebrations and possibly make thecountry feel good about itself again Maybe a lovely warm spring day in April will be good for thecountry and make it forget its economic woes for a few hoursWe asked a number of our sellers about their experience of the last big Royal Wedding (Charles andDiana) and what they are going to do this time to celebrate There were mixed feelings ndash manywere too young to remember much about the 1981 event and even though I remember a day offfrom school I cannot remember any street parties or spontaneous Mardi Gras This time around Ithink money will be a big factor and most people will not stray too far from a bit of home baking inred white and blue and also a show of patriotic bunting Union Jacks are quite the lsquoin thingrsquo at themoment for interior design and so a patriotic statement may double as being hip and trendy
Kim Lampard of Zigzag Bunting thinks a great way tocelebrate the Royal Wedding is to make your own buntingShe suggests pulling together a pile of fabrics that you nolonger need but that hold cherished memories for you forexample your daughterrsquos first cute dress a tea-towel youbought on a special holiday an old bedspread made by your
Granny Even if the items are damaged so cannot be passed on to others there is always a littlecorner that can be cut up into a triangle to make a bunting flag Mix a few of these together and ifyou have enough for a colour scheme (such as red white and blue) fine but donrsquot worry the flagsdonrsquot even need to be the same size Sometimes a shabby chic lsquoMix and Matchrsquo approach turns outto be perfect Sew the fabric triangles onto a piece of ribbon or bias tape and you will have awonderful string of bunting to decorate for the special day You and your family will remember notonly the Royal Wedding when you bring out that bunting but have extra glimpses of their past inthe fabrics Definitely a memento to cherish
Gaye Weekes of A amp V Designs now lives in Snowdonia North Wales and onlyan hour away from Anglesey where the Royal couple will begin their marriedlife She has no doubt had that His Highness has been hovering over theirremote valley in his helicopter over recent months Gaye plans to be flying redwhite and green Welsh bunting for the wedding Her bunting is made fromvintage fabric from the 1950s and 1960s - a cotton heavy woven greenand cream floral and a jolly red and white gingham She adds ldquo
rdquo
This article was written by
from
httpwwwwowthankyoucouk
Karine Ait-Mohamed of The Pink Fairy Cake isFrench but now lives in England She says ldquo
rdquo In the spirit of the occasion Karinehas produced a product that combines both England and France into the celebration Shehas produced sets of two Union Jack hearts filled with lavender from Chateau la Gabelle inHaute-Provence
Lisa MacDonald of LisaMollyMacDonaldis quite enthusiastic about the weddingand getting caught up in the glamour of the
occasion ldquo
rdquo
Lou Carswell of Loubie Jewels has some prettyfantastic red white and blue jewellery which wouldbe suitable for a Royal wedding celebration She told
us ldquo
rdquo
So what can we gather from these observations It will be a nice idea to celebrate the RoyalWedding If we apply a little lsquowartimersquo austerity (handmade lends itself to recycling andupcycling) we shouldnrsquot have to spend a fortune We can step back from commercialism andbe involved in a low key but meaningful way that will make the event more memorable for itssimplicity and just a little thrift God Bless William and Kate
Tell us about yourself
My name is Sandra Ritchie I live in Cleethorpes UK with my husbandJason my 10 year old daughter Alisha my 2 year old son Alfred andour dog Dumbledore Primarily I am a housewife but in my sparetime I make jewellery of all kinds from beaded pieces to metal workbut mainly I make custom-made bespoke precious metal jewellery
When did your crafting begin and why
Many years ago I studied Jewellery and Metal Art at college andover time Ive collected the tools I needed but never got round tosetting up a workroom until 2009 when my Husband pointed outthat our Utility Room would be perfect for me to set up as aworkroom to start making jewellery again It seemed ideal Ialready had people interested in me making them some jewelleryand it meant I could stay at home and look after the children as wellas try to establish a name for myself as a Jewellery designermaker
What was the first item you made to sell online
The first item I made to sell whilst not specifically to sell online was asilver octopus necklace commissioned by an acquaintance of mine thathad seen the silver octopus necklace that I made for myself whilst atcollege and wanted one like it She has since purchased the silver andcopper entwined Dragon necklace and a commissioned silver Dragonand is back on my list for another piece to be made My number onefan I think
What is your biggest crafting achievement and why
I love all the pieces Ive created especially my Custom work but myfavourite piece of all is the Greenman necklace I was approached tomake something as a surprise for someone and was basically giventhe opportunity to produce something different to my usual pieces Ilove making pieces that are based on peoples ideas of what theywant that is really special but the Greenman necklace was mydesign based on what the customer wanted it to represent I had toteach myself etching for the piece as its something Id never learntand Im really pleased with how it worked out
Other than crafting what else do you like to do
I love spending time with my children and family I love baking andcooking too and I suppose I should admit to enjoying the oddrelaxing glass (or bottle) of nice wine when the children are in bed
wwwlittlefairycultcouk
Where would you like to be in 5 years
In 5 years time Id love to be in a better financial position so I canbuy silver and make silver jewellery to sell that isnt just Custom-made Ive started sneaking a few pieces of precious metal jewellerythat are for general sale onto my site
Where does your inspiration come from
My inspiration is usually from the customers themselves They tell mewhat it is they want and I design a piece to reflect that Sometimes theyalter the design slightly to reflect more of how they want it and that isfine For my bead jewellery its usually what beads I have in myworkroom that inspire my beaded pieces I very rarely buy beads for thereason that I have a design idea and usually just buy mixed lots of beadsand work with what I have
What are your favourite materials and why
I really love working with precious metals There is somethinguniquely satisfying about taking a flat sheet of metal and turning itinto a beautiful piece of jewellery Thats why I take pictures of thepieces as I am making them so that other people and the customerwhos item it is can enjoy seeing it progress from a blank piece ofprecious metal into the finished piece
What is favourite shop online that isnrsquot yours and why
Oh my There are so many amazing websites offering beautiful andunique handmade items but I will always take a look at Etsy to see ifthere is anything that catches my eye on there They have such a largevariety of designerssellers making almost everything but the kitchen sink(though I bet if you looked hard enough youd find one on there) Ireally enjoy the little treasuries they do too where you can browse aselection of items that are grouped together by themes
Has any person helped or supported you more than any other
I have had a lot of support from the good friends I have gained on Twitter and of coursemy real life friends have been extremely supportive too but the main reason I actuallysorted out my workroom (or corner of the utility room) was due to my husband insistingthat I start making jewellery again Luckily his insistence and support paid off virtuallystraight away when a friend asked for the octopus necklace I mentioned earlier to bemade
Tell us a random fact about yourself
I have known the sex of each child and whether Id be carrying one or more before I evenconceived them Fairly random but fact nevertheless
Kit includes seed beads 5 x handmade glass beads choker wire x 3 banglewire x 2 ring wire x 3 jewellery pliers beading mat instructions
Makes 8 fabulous and individual pieces of jewellery without the need forfiddly findings books or other money-wasters
Beaded Jewellery Kitpound12Japan Crafts
A coordinating selection of beads plus step-by-step full colour instructions to make your own version of the Jungle Collar design Learn how to work peyote stitch edge it with drops and embellish it with a lush fringe and beaded flowers and leaves Let your beading imagination run wild
Each kit is hand-picked and slightly different so the beads you receive may not be the exact onesshown in the photograph but you can be certain that your necklace will be uniqueThe kit comes carefully packaged in a handy reusable storage box the only things yoursquoll need inaddition are a beading needle a spool of nylon beading thread and some sharp scissors
Beadweaving Kit for Jungle Collar
pound38Lynn Davy
Fairy Earrings Jewellery Making Kit - Ages 7yrs+
pound5Jewellery Making Kits
These single kits are fabulous for all crafty and creative girls They also make great presents for school friends nieces sisters or even grown ups Each kit includes Sterling Silver earwires or studs a small selection of flowers for the skirt a pair of wings a few coloured glass pearls for the heads silver headpin Organza Bag Full set of instructionsSuitable for ages 7 years and up Requires a pair of pliers to finish off - all instructions included
Bracelet Kit - Chunky Swarovski Pearl and Crystal with Toggle Clasp
pound750Wonderstuff Craft Kits
A little kit of bronze Swarovski pearls and Golden Shadow Swarovski crystals silk and toggle clasp
Kit includes 11 x Swarovski 12mm Pearls Colour - Soft Bronze 3 x Swarovski Crystal 8mm Rondelles - Colour - Golden Shadow 8 x Swarovski Crystal 4mmBicones Colour - Light Colorado Topaz 1 x Silver Plated Toggle Bar 1 x Silver plated Toggle RingBracelet length of threading silk Instructions
This kit contains top quality beads to make an exquisite braceletno special tools are needed
Jewellery making kits
from the small crafterWersquove found a selection of wonderful beading kits for allages and experience These are not massed producedsets but offered by the small crafter
This article was created by The Crystal Lady httpwwwmysticearthcouk
This Months
This months lsquoMan of the Monthrsquo is Ade (Adrian)EdmondsonChosen by MegampMillie
This months lsquoLady of the Monthrsquo is GwenStefaniChosen by Claire Pearcy from Elderberry Arts
httpwwwgwenstefanicom
httpwwwunrealitytvcouklets-dance-for-comic-relieflets-dance-for-comic-relief-results-ade-edmondson-and-eighties-super-group-make-next-weeks-final
(Nothing like an April Fools)
This months lsquoBlog of the Month Awardrsquo goes to lsquoItrsquos All Fiddle Fartrsquo
httpitsallfiddlefartblogspotcom
This months lsquoShop of the Month Awardrsquo goes to lsquoJulias DriftwoodFurniturersquo
httpwwwfolksycomshopsseasandview123
ww
wc
reativ
e-cr
afting
co
mw
ww
cr
eative-c
on
nec
tion
snin
gc
om
CREATIVE CRAFTING
Our next issue will be available to read on
1st June 2010If you have missed any of our issues you
can find them to read on our websitewwwcreative-craftingcom
And also on our Social Network Creative Connectionswwwcreative-connectionsningcom
To advertise in Creative Crafting or to submit an article please contact Annaat thecrystalladycreative-craftingcom
AUGUSTSUMMER 2010
Issue 5
By Crafters for Crafters
Check out our
CraftersDirectory
CREATIVE CRAFTING
By Crafters for Crafters
Issue 3
ValentinesMothers Day 2010
HandcraftedWeddingSpecial
Valentine ampMothers Day
Projects
Have youbeen
featured
By Crafters for Crafters
Issue 3ValentinesMothers Day 2010
Handcrafted
Wedding
SpecialValentine amp
Mothers Day
ProjectsHave you
been
featured
By
EASTER 2010
Issue 4
FATHERS DAY 2010
Issue 4
By Crafters for Crafters
Ch
eck out our
Craft
ersDirectory
AUGUSTSUMMER 2
010
Issu
e 5
By Craf
ters fo
r Craf
ters
Chec
k out our
Crafters
Directory
CREATIVE
C
RAFTINGAU
TUM
N H
ALLO
WEE
N 201
0Is
sue
7
CREA
TIVE
CRAF
TIN
G
By Craf
ters f
or C
rafter
s
Chec
k
out our
Craft
ersDirect
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niv
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Donrsquot forget
All of our links andadverts are fullyclickable
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AUTUMN HALLOWEEN 2010
Issue 7CREATIVE CRAFTING
By Crafters for Crafters
Check out our
CraftersDirectory
Anniversary
Issue
CHRISTMAS 2010
Issue 8
By Crafters for Crafters
FATHERS DAY 2010
Issue 4
By Crafters for Crafters
Check out our
Crafters
Directory
EASTER 2010
Issue 4
By Crafters for Crafters
By Crafters for Crafters
VALENTINES 2011Issue 9
CREATIVE CRAFTING
Decorating Salt DoughYou can decorate your pieces before or after the cooking process Try adding food colouringherbs and spices tea or coffee to your dough as you knead it Or try painting your uncooked piecewith an egg wash for a lovely golden glowExperiment with various mediums on cooked pieces Gouache and acrylics work well but posterpaint is fine (if a little limited in colour variation) and you could try chalks felt tips or crayonsUse glue to add decorations including glitter sequins fabric bows tiny scraps of paper etcIts nice to leave the dough perfectly natural sometimes and sometimes a combination of naturaldough and painted areas works very wellVarnish thoroughly Any varnish will work I tend to use a spray varnish as a first coat to set thepaints then I add a few coats of a super store own brand wood varnish (If you need yourfinished piece to be especially waterproof try yacht varnish but be aware that it will tend tochange the colours making them yellowish)Use a small brush to get into all the nooks and crannies and allow each coat to dry thoroughlybefore applying the next one The more coats you apply the better protected your final pieceHowever unvarnished salt dough I have made for personal use (or the odd forgotten piece) hassurvived very well even in a slightly damp old house So dont let a lack of varnish deter you fromtrying salt dough But if you are creating a family heirloom four or five coats of a good varnish willensure it lasts for yearsTry these two Easter projects the ldquoEgg-stra Specialrdquo eggs are very quick and simple enough to dowith small children the primrose basket takes a while and is a little fiddly but well worth tryingand very easy to adapt by choosing your own flower or perhaps some other motif
~ Egg-stra Special Eggs ~
1 Form an egg shape from a small ball of dough by rolling in your hands and pressthis gently onto your baking tray(Its easier to build your salt dough pieces directly onto the tray you will use tocook them rather than try and move them while they are still uncooked I havebuilt my eggs onto the kitchen surface because it will be easier for you to see whatIm doing)
2 Roll out a piece of salt dough and use it to cover the bottom end of youregg like a blanket When you are happy with the position gently lift andrun a wet paintbrush between the two pieces to glue them together
3 Cut out an egg cup shape around your egg
4 Use a damp paintbrush to push the egg cup onto the eggand ensure it sticks
(A damp paintbrush also helps soften edges and blend any creases or cracks)
5 Uncurl an old metal paperclip and push into the dough to form a hangingloop You can use a piece of any wire I try and use paperclips or a piece of wire
coat-hanger as I like to recycle An alternative hanging method is to create a smallhole (or two holes for larger pieces) and thread a ribbon or piece of leather shoelacethrough the hole tying it to make a loop)
6 Cut out a small bow shape from a piece of flattened dough
7 Cut two ribbon ends from a rectangle of flattened dough
8 Use a wet paintbrush to layer the ribbon ends onto thetop of your egg
9 Attach the bow in position And add a small piece to the centre ofthe bow to finish
10 Cook
11 Decorate in whatever way takes your fancy hellip have fun
~ Primrose Basket ~
1 Cover a bowl in greaseproof paper and turn upside down onto your baking tray
2 Roll out some dough to approx 5mm thickness and cut into thin stripslong enough to cover your bowl
3 Lay four of these strips across the bottom ofyour bowl
4 Begin weaving four in the opposite direction by gently liftingalternate strips out of the way laying the cross strip and replacingthe lifted strips
5 Then add one strip to each side until you reach the edge of the bowl
6 Trim the edge with a knife or fold the stripsback to form a rough bowl lip You can indentsomething on the dough to secure anddecorate
7 Cook
8 Carefully remove the bowl and paper
9 Make primrose flowers and leaves and glue them to the rim with a wetpaintbrush replacing your bowl in the oven for a short whileLeaves ndash cut rough leaf shapes out of a piece of flatted dough and mark theveins and indent the edges with the back of a knifeFlowers ndash use a small heart cutter to cut 5 heart shapes and place on the rim with pointstogether indenting the centre with your fingertip and then marking with the end of a paintbrushPaint with whichever medium you prefer or have to hand I have used acrylics here leaving thebasket natural and painting the primrose leaves green and the flowers yellow adding someorange to the centres of the flowers while the yellow is still damp for a blurred effect
This article was written by Diannefrom Heartmade Gifts
Join Heartmade Gifts on Facebook
wwwheartmadegiftswordpresscom
Lilac Lace Heart LocketJewellery by Bina
Vintage Victorian StyledSweetheart Locket
Miss Bohemia
pound17
pound15
Emerald Bewitched
youmin
$40
The Bright Forest Locket
marisolspoon
$35
Cameral Locket
mydogandi
$2750
Creative CraftingFavourite
This article was created by
The Crystal Ladyhttpwwwmysticearthcouk
Lockets may sound very old fashioned but if you have a wander through thehandmade sites you will find a wealth of very modern and extremely beautifuldesigns Perfect for you to carry your loved ones with you wherever you go
Bee Joyful LocketThe Whimsical Wren
pound10
SteampunkWatch Mechanism
Locketedmdesigns
$85
Luscious LocketsLuscious Lockets
Who likes Chocolate CakeThis is a great recipe for Easter Mothers day or any other daylets admit it we all love chocolate
Ingredients
7 oz self raising flour8 oz caster sugar1 teaspoon of salt2 tablespoons of cocoa powder4 oz margarine2 eggs beaten with5 tablespoons evaporated milk5 tablespoons water1 teaspoon vanilla essence
1 Sift together flour sugar and salt and cocoa2 Rub in margarine3 Stir in eggs essence and liquids then beat well4 Grease and flour 2 8 inch cake tins divide the mixture between them5 Bake in a moderate over 325-350 F gas mark 3 about 35 minutes6 When cold sandwich together and cover in milk chocolate icing
Milk chocolate Icing
Ingredients
2 and a half oz margarine or butter4 tablespoons cocoa8 oz sieved icing sugar3 tablespoons hot milk1 teaspoon vanilla essence
Melt the margarine or butter and blend incocoa powder then stir in icing sugar milkand vanilla essence Beat until smooth andthick
We hope you all enjoy the recipe we would love to see anypictures of chocolate cakes that you make
Instructions
Instructions
Written and reviewed by Peggyrsquos Knitshttppeggyscollectionwebscom
By Sprinkles Sparkleshttpwwwsprinklessparklescouk
All prices are correct at the time of publication
Budget amp LuxurySpring special
Woodland DaffodilsCharm Bracelet
Coco Angel Rosepound1600
Spring Flower Hair ClipFlutter2me
pound450
Spring flowers broochDi Does Craft
pound800
Pink Spring Clutchfunky diva designs
pound1750
Cupcake BuntingCotton Cottage
pound1650
Purple TulipsWildrose Ridge
pound350
Chickadees and LilacsStained Glass WindowStained Glass Addie
pound4940
The Charlotte - SageRosalind Jamespound14500
Springtime 16 Crayon RollApple n Amos
pound509
Buttercup earrings in softyellow with peridot and brass
Goblins Marketpound401
Springtime DalaFolk Horse HangingDecoration - YellowCourt and Spark
pound400
D A P H N E - BrokenChina Plate Pendant
and Sterling Silver NecklaceDesigns by Mila
pound2228
To make the leaves
Using DK yarn and 300 mm hook make 5 leaves as follows
Rnd 1 9ch dc in 2nd ch 1htr in next ch 1tr in each of next 6ch 3ch ss in base of last tr worked
Now work on opposite side of stitches by turning the work
Rnd 2 3ch 1tr in each of next 6ch 1htr in next ch dc ss in top of first stFasten off and sew in loose ends
Materials
Small quantity of DK yarn I have used a yarn with awool-mix but any DK yarn of your choice will be suitableSmall quantity of kid mohair yarn (use two strands together)300 mm hook200 mm hookOne large buttonBrooch pinSewing needle
To make the small rose
Using a 200 mm hook and working two strands of kid mohair yarn together 13ch
Rnd 1 1tr 2ch 1tr in 4th ch (skip 2ch 1tr 2ch 1tr in next ch) 3 times (4 v- spaces)
Rnd 2 3ch 6tr into next v-space 1dc into space between v-spaces Continue with 6tr into eachv-space and 1dc in between spaces until end ss into last ch Fasten off
Roll the work with fingers from start to finish to create a small rose flower and sew together at thebase
Assembling the brooch
Turn the flower so the right side is facing up and sew the button in the centre of the flowerAttach the rose to the centre of the button as shown in diagram Sew a brooch pin to the back of theflower to complete the brooch
Arrange the 5 leaves to form a circle so thecorners of the leaves are touching Sew eachcorner together to form the petals of aflower
Turn the work so the wrong side is facing upand close the hole by sewing together withthe same DK yarn used to make the leaves
Crochet Flower Brooch
ch - chain stitchdc - double crochethtr - half treble crochetss - slip stitchtr - treble crochetst - stitch
Crochet Mobile PhoneiPod Cosy
Materials
50g Dk yarn in mustard colourSmall quantity of DK yarn in bright pink for picot edgingof cosy and small roseSmall quantity of DK yarn in sage green for leaves of roseflowerSize 300mm hook
Instructions for the cosy
The cosy can be made to fit a mobile phoneiPod of your choice
Pattern note the pattern is worked in dc throughout and worked in the round using the tapestrycrochet method of crochet This involves carrying a second yarn below the first making it verystrong
Foundation row
Using one strand of DK yarn in mustard make a chain that measures the width of your mobilephoneipod
Rnd 1 dc across row until the last chain 2dc in last chain Turn work
Rnd 2 Begin to carry a second strand of mustard yarn throughouteach round and every round from now on This yarn is not worked butcarried below the first strand of yarn
Work along the opposite side of the row just worked 1dc in first ch1ch in each chain until the last chain 2dc in last chain Now mark thelast stitch just worked with a different colour yarn so you can see theend of the round and keep moving this marker up to the last stitchworked
Rnd 3 Dc in each chain around working in spirals moving the stitchmarker as the piece grows Continue until the work measures thedesired length to fit the mobileiPod Fasten off and tie in loose ends
ch - chain stitchdc - double crochethtr - half treble crochetss - slip stitchtr - treble crochetst - stitch
Instructions for rose flower
Rnd 1 Using DK yarn in bright pink 1tr 2ch 1tr in 4th ch (skip 2ch1tr 2ch 1tr in next ch) 3 times (4 v- spaces)
Rnd 2 3ch 6tr into next v-space 1dc into space between v-spacesContinue with 6tr into each v-space and 1dc in between spaces untilend ss into last ch Fasten off
Roll the work with fingers from start to finish to create a small rose flower and sew together at thebase
Instructions for leaves
Using DK yarn and 300mm hook make 2 leaves as follows
Rnd 1 5ch dc in 2nd ch 1htr in next ch 1tr in each of next 2ch 3ch ss in base of last tr workedNow work on opposite side of stitches by turning the work
Rnd 2 3ch 1tr in each of next 2 ch 1htr in next ch dc ss in top of first st Fasten off and sew inloose ends
Assembly
Sew the leaves to the reverse of the rose and attach to the cosy as shown in the picture
Picot edging
Rnd 1 Using DK yarn in bright pink dc into each stitch around the edge of the cosy opening ss tofirst dc
Rnd 2 3ch ss into 2nd chain from hook ss into base of 3ch dc into next 2ch 3ch continuefrom to ss into last ch Fasten off and sew in loose ends
Written by Andrea Lesley Crochethttpwwwfolksycomshopsandrealesleycrochet
Materials
T - shirt - colour your choiceScissorsChainSewing needle and threadCorsage or embellishments
Step 1 First get a plain whitet-shirt
Step 2 Then cut off the neck Step 3 Now sew two pieces of chain to each side of where theneckline should be
Step 4 Cut a triangle out ofthe bottom of the t-shirt
Step 5 Tie the two ends thatare left into a knot or bow
Step 6 Finally add a corsageor flower to the front
Step 7 Now you have a bang on trend crop top simply wear over a vest top I loved designing andgokking up this t-shirt it took minutes and didnt cost a lot either
Corsage made by Madam SalamihttpwwwetsycomshopMadamSalami
Written By Heidi Jackson
Favourite finds from around the crafting communityThis months focus is Easter and Spring
Click on the images to take you to their store
Online StreetMISI
Ring With A FlowerBlue Fish Handmade
pound800
Spring necklace in glassand sterling silver
RosieJo Jewellerypound1275
Easter Eggs CardNaomi Constable
pound250
FOLKSY
Easter rabbit cushionwith choccie eggs
Phoebelinas Treasurespound500
Easter Knitted BagsFluerette
pound300
Small Gorgeous FeltSpring Bouquets
Spare Minute Productionspound2000
WOW THANK YOU
Green And Brown PetalFlower Bracelet
Sprinkles Sparklespound3750 inc pampp
Handmade Pink Canvas Wall Art(Set of 3)
Craft on Canvaspound3900 inc pampp
Blue Easter ChickDharmapaintings
pound12 20 inc pampp
All prices correct at the time of publication
Favourite finds from around the crafting communityThis months focus is Easter and Spring
Click on the images to take you to their store
Best PicksUGLY BE GONE
Handpainted DottyDolly Pegs
Ticketty Boopound650
Quirky Motifs ShopperRachael Taylor
pound1500
Collette the Cow BibBaby Boutique
pound1100
The Cutie Pie - recycledpaper butterfly shadow boxThe WingSpan Collection
pound6421
Easter 1 Square PendantHappy Easter Spring Flowers
Miss Gooseberry Pendantspound321
ETSY
RETROEasterplastic springfling daisy clip-on earringsamber brown makes art
pound208ARTFIRE
Easter Egg Mini Cards 2x2 6Peculiar Parchment
pound170
Spring Chicks - Little FusedGlass Dish - Easter Gift
First Light Glasspound926
4 Chocolate Easter ParadeBunny Lollipops extra large
Candy Cottagepound741
All prices correct at the time of publication
What you will need3 x 10 inch lengths of purple Cylon cord10mm silver plated lobster clasp and clasp tag2 x silver plated fold over necklace endsApprox 24 Rose Quartz gemstone chip beads(holes need to be large enough to thread onelength of the cylon cord though)2 x 4mm silver plated jump rings
Rose Quartz is the stone of unconditionalloveIt purifies and opens the heart helping thewearer to love themselves as well as others
Rose Quartz draws off negative energy andhelps release unexpressed emotions
Encourages self forgiveness and acceptanceaids self trust and self worth
I find it easier to use a macrame board for making this type of bracelet as it make it easier tokeep the design neat but its not essential I use a simple board made from a cork notice boardand pins I also use nylon nosed pliers to fold over the necklace ends as I find metal pliers oftenleave marks but again they arent essential
Step 2 Thread a chip bead onto each of the outer lengths ofcord
Step 3 Cross the outer cordsover the middle one as youwould in a braid Then braid thecords again
Step 1 Attach one of thenecklace ends to one end ofthe three lengths of CyloncordYou can then use the hole inthe end to attach the braceletto your board
Make a Rose Quartz Bracelet
Step 6 Attach the secondnecklace end to the three cordwithout cutting them as it makesit easier The ends can then betrimmed with a craft knife orsharp scissors
Step 7 Using the jump ringsattach the clasp to one end ofthe bracelet and the clasp tagto the other
Step 4 Thread two chip beadson to the new outer lengths ofcord and braid as in the previousstep
Step 5 Repeat step three and four untilthe bracelet reaches seven inchesor your desired length
(The clasp section will measureapproximately one inch)
If the cord ends become frayed they canbe fixed with a little super glue
Step 8 And there you areOne finished rose quartzbracelet
Would you like to share a craft project with Creative Crafting
Let us know what project you would like toshare with us
Anything from jewellery knitting and crochetcrafts paper crafts or a craft you feel hasbeen forgotten about
Email thecrystalladycreative-craftingcom
Written by Elderberry Artshttpwwwelderberryartscouk
To those who are not yet aware Prince William and Kate Middleton will tie the knot this month onFriday 29th April in a quiet little ceremony at Westminster Abbey To some this may mean getting aday off to celebrate the nuptials or actually attend the whole affair To others like myself who areself-employed there will be no day off and hence little difference from a normal day but we can stillbe happy for the two love birds entering a state of marital bliss for the first timeIn these uncertain economic times I am not sure how the Royal Wedding will affect the economyhow much money will people want to spend Will this mean street parties like those that dominatemany peoplersquos memories from Prince Charles and Dianarsquos wedding back in 1981 Will there be arush to purchase ridiculously crass lsquosouvenirrsquo mugs plates tea towels or will the market just not bethere at all with all the unsold Royal Wedding goods in the pound shops by JuneThe handmade and crafting sector needs to be aware of the sales potential created by this Royalevent and so products should be made available to support the celebrations and possibly make thecountry feel good about itself again Maybe a lovely warm spring day in April will be good for thecountry and make it forget its economic woes for a few hoursWe asked a number of our sellers about their experience of the last big Royal Wedding (Charles andDiana) and what they are going to do this time to celebrate There were mixed feelings ndash manywere too young to remember much about the 1981 event and even though I remember a day offfrom school I cannot remember any street parties or spontaneous Mardi Gras This time around Ithink money will be a big factor and most people will not stray too far from a bit of home baking inred white and blue and also a show of patriotic bunting Union Jacks are quite the lsquoin thingrsquo at themoment for interior design and so a patriotic statement may double as being hip and trendy
Kim Lampard of Zigzag Bunting thinks a great way tocelebrate the Royal Wedding is to make your own buntingShe suggests pulling together a pile of fabrics that you nolonger need but that hold cherished memories for you forexample your daughterrsquos first cute dress a tea-towel youbought on a special holiday an old bedspread made by your
Granny Even if the items are damaged so cannot be passed on to others there is always a littlecorner that can be cut up into a triangle to make a bunting flag Mix a few of these together and ifyou have enough for a colour scheme (such as red white and blue) fine but donrsquot worry the flagsdonrsquot even need to be the same size Sometimes a shabby chic lsquoMix and Matchrsquo approach turns outto be perfect Sew the fabric triangles onto a piece of ribbon or bias tape and you will have awonderful string of bunting to decorate for the special day You and your family will remember notonly the Royal Wedding when you bring out that bunting but have extra glimpses of their past inthe fabrics Definitely a memento to cherish
Gaye Weekes of A amp V Designs now lives in Snowdonia North Wales and onlyan hour away from Anglesey where the Royal couple will begin their marriedlife She has no doubt had that His Highness has been hovering over theirremote valley in his helicopter over recent months Gaye plans to be flying redwhite and green Welsh bunting for the wedding Her bunting is made fromvintage fabric from the 1950s and 1960s - a cotton heavy woven greenand cream floral and a jolly red and white gingham She adds ldquo
rdquo
This article was written by
from
httpwwwwowthankyoucouk
Karine Ait-Mohamed of The Pink Fairy Cake isFrench but now lives in England She says ldquo
rdquo In the spirit of the occasion Karinehas produced a product that combines both England and France into the celebration Shehas produced sets of two Union Jack hearts filled with lavender from Chateau la Gabelle inHaute-Provence
Lisa MacDonald of LisaMollyMacDonaldis quite enthusiastic about the weddingand getting caught up in the glamour of the
occasion ldquo
rdquo
Lou Carswell of Loubie Jewels has some prettyfantastic red white and blue jewellery which wouldbe suitable for a Royal wedding celebration She told
us ldquo
rdquo
So what can we gather from these observations It will be a nice idea to celebrate the RoyalWedding If we apply a little lsquowartimersquo austerity (handmade lends itself to recycling andupcycling) we shouldnrsquot have to spend a fortune We can step back from commercialism andbe involved in a low key but meaningful way that will make the event more memorable for itssimplicity and just a little thrift God Bless William and Kate
Tell us about yourself
My name is Sandra Ritchie I live in Cleethorpes UK with my husbandJason my 10 year old daughter Alisha my 2 year old son Alfred andour dog Dumbledore Primarily I am a housewife but in my sparetime I make jewellery of all kinds from beaded pieces to metal workbut mainly I make custom-made bespoke precious metal jewellery
When did your crafting begin and why
Many years ago I studied Jewellery and Metal Art at college andover time Ive collected the tools I needed but never got round tosetting up a workroom until 2009 when my Husband pointed outthat our Utility Room would be perfect for me to set up as aworkroom to start making jewellery again It seemed ideal Ialready had people interested in me making them some jewelleryand it meant I could stay at home and look after the children as wellas try to establish a name for myself as a Jewellery designermaker
What was the first item you made to sell online
The first item I made to sell whilst not specifically to sell online was asilver octopus necklace commissioned by an acquaintance of mine thathad seen the silver octopus necklace that I made for myself whilst atcollege and wanted one like it She has since purchased the silver andcopper entwined Dragon necklace and a commissioned silver Dragonand is back on my list for another piece to be made My number onefan I think
What is your biggest crafting achievement and why
I love all the pieces Ive created especially my Custom work but myfavourite piece of all is the Greenman necklace I was approached tomake something as a surprise for someone and was basically giventhe opportunity to produce something different to my usual pieces Ilove making pieces that are based on peoples ideas of what theywant that is really special but the Greenman necklace was mydesign based on what the customer wanted it to represent I had toteach myself etching for the piece as its something Id never learntand Im really pleased with how it worked out
Other than crafting what else do you like to do
I love spending time with my children and family I love baking andcooking too and I suppose I should admit to enjoying the oddrelaxing glass (or bottle) of nice wine when the children are in bed
wwwlittlefairycultcouk
Where would you like to be in 5 years
In 5 years time Id love to be in a better financial position so I canbuy silver and make silver jewellery to sell that isnt just Custom-made Ive started sneaking a few pieces of precious metal jewellerythat are for general sale onto my site
Where does your inspiration come from
My inspiration is usually from the customers themselves They tell mewhat it is they want and I design a piece to reflect that Sometimes theyalter the design slightly to reflect more of how they want it and that isfine For my bead jewellery its usually what beads I have in myworkroom that inspire my beaded pieces I very rarely buy beads for thereason that I have a design idea and usually just buy mixed lots of beadsand work with what I have
What are your favourite materials and why
I really love working with precious metals There is somethinguniquely satisfying about taking a flat sheet of metal and turning itinto a beautiful piece of jewellery Thats why I take pictures of thepieces as I am making them so that other people and the customerwhos item it is can enjoy seeing it progress from a blank piece ofprecious metal into the finished piece
What is favourite shop online that isnrsquot yours and why
Oh my There are so many amazing websites offering beautiful andunique handmade items but I will always take a look at Etsy to see ifthere is anything that catches my eye on there They have such a largevariety of designerssellers making almost everything but the kitchen sink(though I bet if you looked hard enough youd find one on there) Ireally enjoy the little treasuries they do too where you can browse aselection of items that are grouped together by themes
Has any person helped or supported you more than any other
I have had a lot of support from the good friends I have gained on Twitter and of coursemy real life friends have been extremely supportive too but the main reason I actuallysorted out my workroom (or corner of the utility room) was due to my husband insistingthat I start making jewellery again Luckily his insistence and support paid off virtuallystraight away when a friend asked for the octopus necklace I mentioned earlier to bemade
Tell us a random fact about yourself
I have known the sex of each child and whether Id be carrying one or more before I evenconceived them Fairly random but fact nevertheless
Kit includes seed beads 5 x handmade glass beads choker wire x 3 banglewire x 2 ring wire x 3 jewellery pliers beading mat instructions
Makes 8 fabulous and individual pieces of jewellery without the need forfiddly findings books or other money-wasters
Beaded Jewellery Kitpound12Japan Crafts
A coordinating selection of beads plus step-by-step full colour instructions to make your own version of the Jungle Collar design Learn how to work peyote stitch edge it with drops and embellish it with a lush fringe and beaded flowers and leaves Let your beading imagination run wild
Each kit is hand-picked and slightly different so the beads you receive may not be the exact onesshown in the photograph but you can be certain that your necklace will be uniqueThe kit comes carefully packaged in a handy reusable storage box the only things yoursquoll need inaddition are a beading needle a spool of nylon beading thread and some sharp scissors
Beadweaving Kit for Jungle Collar
pound38Lynn Davy
Fairy Earrings Jewellery Making Kit - Ages 7yrs+
pound5Jewellery Making Kits
These single kits are fabulous for all crafty and creative girls They also make great presents for school friends nieces sisters or even grown ups Each kit includes Sterling Silver earwires or studs a small selection of flowers for the skirt a pair of wings a few coloured glass pearls for the heads silver headpin Organza Bag Full set of instructionsSuitable for ages 7 years and up Requires a pair of pliers to finish off - all instructions included
Bracelet Kit - Chunky Swarovski Pearl and Crystal with Toggle Clasp
pound750Wonderstuff Craft Kits
A little kit of bronze Swarovski pearls and Golden Shadow Swarovski crystals silk and toggle clasp
Kit includes 11 x Swarovski 12mm Pearls Colour - Soft Bronze 3 x Swarovski Crystal 8mm Rondelles - Colour - Golden Shadow 8 x Swarovski Crystal 4mmBicones Colour - Light Colorado Topaz 1 x Silver Plated Toggle Bar 1 x Silver plated Toggle RingBracelet length of threading silk Instructions
This kit contains top quality beads to make an exquisite braceletno special tools are needed
Jewellery making kits
from the small crafterWersquove found a selection of wonderful beading kits for allages and experience These are not massed producedsets but offered by the small crafter
This article was created by The Crystal Lady httpwwwmysticearthcouk
This Months
This months lsquoMan of the Monthrsquo is Ade (Adrian)EdmondsonChosen by MegampMillie
This months lsquoLady of the Monthrsquo is GwenStefaniChosen by Claire Pearcy from Elderberry Arts
httpwwwgwenstefanicom
httpwwwunrealitytvcouklets-dance-for-comic-relieflets-dance-for-comic-relief-results-ade-edmondson-and-eighties-super-group-make-next-weeks-final
(Nothing like an April Fools)
This months lsquoBlog of the Month Awardrsquo goes to lsquoItrsquos All Fiddle Fartrsquo
httpitsallfiddlefartblogspotcom
This months lsquoShop of the Month Awardrsquo goes to lsquoJulias DriftwoodFurniturersquo
httpwwwfolksycomshopsseasandview123
ww
wc
reativ
e-cr
afting
co
mw
ww
cr
eative-c
on
nec
tion
snin
gc
om
CREATIVE CRAFTING
Our next issue will be available to read on
1st June 2010If you have missed any of our issues you
can find them to read on our websitewwwcreative-craftingcom
And also on our Social Network Creative Connectionswwwcreative-connectionsningcom
To advertise in Creative Crafting or to submit an article please contact Annaat thecrystalladycreative-craftingcom
AUGUSTSUMMER 2010
Issue 5
By Crafters for Crafters
Check out our
CraftersDirectory
CREATIVE CRAFTING
By Crafters for Crafters
Issue 3
ValentinesMothers Day 2010
HandcraftedWeddingSpecial
Valentine ampMothers Day
Projects
Have youbeen
featured
By Crafters for Crafters
Issue 3ValentinesMothers Day 2010
Handcrafted
Wedding
SpecialValentine amp
Mothers Day
ProjectsHave you
been
featured
By
EASTER 2010
Issue 4
FATHERS DAY 2010
Issue 4
By Crafters for Crafters
Ch
eck out our
Craft
ersDirectory
AUGUSTSUMMER 2
010
Issu
e 5
By Craf
ters fo
r Craf
ters
Chec
k out our
Crafters
Directory
CREATIVE
C
RAFTINGAU
TUM
N H
ALLO
WEE
N 201
0Is
sue
7
CREA
TIVE
CRAF
TIN
G
By Craf
ters f
or C
rafter
s
Chec
k
out our
Craft
ersDirect
ory
An
niv
ersa
ry
Issu
e
Donrsquot forget
All of our links andadverts are fullyclickable
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AUTUMN HALLOWEEN 2010
Issue 7CREATIVE CRAFTING
By Crafters for Crafters
Check out our
CraftersDirectory
Anniversary
Issue
CHRISTMAS 2010
Issue 8
By Crafters for Crafters
FATHERS DAY 2010
Issue 4
By Crafters for Crafters
Check out our
Crafters
Directory
EASTER 2010
Issue 4
By Crafters for Crafters
By Crafters for Crafters
VALENTINES 2011Issue 9
CREATIVE CRAFTING
8 Use a wet paintbrush to layer the ribbon ends onto thetop of your egg
9 Attach the bow in position And add a small piece to the centre ofthe bow to finish
10 Cook
11 Decorate in whatever way takes your fancy hellip have fun
~ Primrose Basket ~
1 Cover a bowl in greaseproof paper and turn upside down onto your baking tray
2 Roll out some dough to approx 5mm thickness and cut into thin stripslong enough to cover your bowl
3 Lay four of these strips across the bottom ofyour bowl
4 Begin weaving four in the opposite direction by gently liftingalternate strips out of the way laying the cross strip and replacingthe lifted strips
5 Then add one strip to each side until you reach the edge of the bowl
6 Trim the edge with a knife or fold the stripsback to form a rough bowl lip You can indentsomething on the dough to secure anddecorate
7 Cook
8 Carefully remove the bowl and paper
9 Make primrose flowers and leaves and glue them to the rim with a wetpaintbrush replacing your bowl in the oven for a short whileLeaves ndash cut rough leaf shapes out of a piece of flatted dough and mark theveins and indent the edges with the back of a knifeFlowers ndash use a small heart cutter to cut 5 heart shapes and place on the rim with pointstogether indenting the centre with your fingertip and then marking with the end of a paintbrushPaint with whichever medium you prefer or have to hand I have used acrylics here leaving thebasket natural and painting the primrose leaves green and the flowers yellow adding someorange to the centres of the flowers while the yellow is still damp for a blurred effect
This article was written by Diannefrom Heartmade Gifts
Join Heartmade Gifts on Facebook
wwwheartmadegiftswordpresscom
Lilac Lace Heart LocketJewellery by Bina
Vintage Victorian StyledSweetheart Locket
Miss Bohemia
pound17
pound15
Emerald Bewitched
youmin
$40
The Bright Forest Locket
marisolspoon
$35
Cameral Locket
mydogandi
$2750
Creative CraftingFavourite
This article was created by
The Crystal Ladyhttpwwwmysticearthcouk
Lockets may sound very old fashioned but if you have a wander through thehandmade sites you will find a wealth of very modern and extremely beautifuldesigns Perfect for you to carry your loved ones with you wherever you go
Bee Joyful LocketThe Whimsical Wren
pound10
SteampunkWatch Mechanism
Locketedmdesigns
$85
Luscious LocketsLuscious Lockets
Who likes Chocolate CakeThis is a great recipe for Easter Mothers day or any other daylets admit it we all love chocolate
Ingredients
7 oz self raising flour8 oz caster sugar1 teaspoon of salt2 tablespoons of cocoa powder4 oz margarine2 eggs beaten with5 tablespoons evaporated milk5 tablespoons water1 teaspoon vanilla essence
1 Sift together flour sugar and salt and cocoa2 Rub in margarine3 Stir in eggs essence and liquids then beat well4 Grease and flour 2 8 inch cake tins divide the mixture between them5 Bake in a moderate over 325-350 F gas mark 3 about 35 minutes6 When cold sandwich together and cover in milk chocolate icing
Milk chocolate Icing
Ingredients
2 and a half oz margarine or butter4 tablespoons cocoa8 oz sieved icing sugar3 tablespoons hot milk1 teaspoon vanilla essence
Melt the margarine or butter and blend incocoa powder then stir in icing sugar milkand vanilla essence Beat until smooth andthick
We hope you all enjoy the recipe we would love to see anypictures of chocolate cakes that you make
Instructions
Instructions
Written and reviewed by Peggyrsquos Knitshttppeggyscollectionwebscom
By Sprinkles Sparkleshttpwwwsprinklessparklescouk
All prices are correct at the time of publication
Budget amp LuxurySpring special
Woodland DaffodilsCharm Bracelet
Coco Angel Rosepound1600
Spring Flower Hair ClipFlutter2me
pound450
Spring flowers broochDi Does Craft
pound800
Pink Spring Clutchfunky diva designs
pound1750
Cupcake BuntingCotton Cottage
pound1650
Purple TulipsWildrose Ridge
pound350
Chickadees and LilacsStained Glass WindowStained Glass Addie
pound4940
The Charlotte - SageRosalind Jamespound14500
Springtime 16 Crayon RollApple n Amos
pound509
Buttercup earrings in softyellow with peridot and brass
Goblins Marketpound401
Springtime DalaFolk Horse HangingDecoration - YellowCourt and Spark
pound400
D A P H N E - BrokenChina Plate Pendant
and Sterling Silver NecklaceDesigns by Mila
pound2228
To make the leaves
Using DK yarn and 300 mm hook make 5 leaves as follows
Rnd 1 9ch dc in 2nd ch 1htr in next ch 1tr in each of next 6ch 3ch ss in base of last tr worked
Now work on opposite side of stitches by turning the work
Rnd 2 3ch 1tr in each of next 6ch 1htr in next ch dc ss in top of first stFasten off and sew in loose ends
Materials
Small quantity of DK yarn I have used a yarn with awool-mix but any DK yarn of your choice will be suitableSmall quantity of kid mohair yarn (use two strands together)300 mm hook200 mm hookOne large buttonBrooch pinSewing needle
To make the small rose
Using a 200 mm hook and working two strands of kid mohair yarn together 13ch
Rnd 1 1tr 2ch 1tr in 4th ch (skip 2ch 1tr 2ch 1tr in next ch) 3 times (4 v- spaces)
Rnd 2 3ch 6tr into next v-space 1dc into space between v-spaces Continue with 6tr into eachv-space and 1dc in between spaces until end ss into last ch Fasten off
Roll the work with fingers from start to finish to create a small rose flower and sew together at thebase
Assembling the brooch
Turn the flower so the right side is facing up and sew the button in the centre of the flowerAttach the rose to the centre of the button as shown in diagram Sew a brooch pin to the back of theflower to complete the brooch
Arrange the 5 leaves to form a circle so thecorners of the leaves are touching Sew eachcorner together to form the petals of aflower
Turn the work so the wrong side is facing upand close the hole by sewing together withthe same DK yarn used to make the leaves
Crochet Flower Brooch
ch - chain stitchdc - double crochethtr - half treble crochetss - slip stitchtr - treble crochetst - stitch
Crochet Mobile PhoneiPod Cosy
Materials
50g Dk yarn in mustard colourSmall quantity of DK yarn in bright pink for picot edgingof cosy and small roseSmall quantity of DK yarn in sage green for leaves of roseflowerSize 300mm hook
Instructions for the cosy
The cosy can be made to fit a mobile phoneiPod of your choice
Pattern note the pattern is worked in dc throughout and worked in the round using the tapestrycrochet method of crochet This involves carrying a second yarn below the first making it verystrong
Foundation row
Using one strand of DK yarn in mustard make a chain that measures the width of your mobilephoneipod
Rnd 1 dc across row until the last chain 2dc in last chain Turn work
Rnd 2 Begin to carry a second strand of mustard yarn throughouteach round and every round from now on This yarn is not worked butcarried below the first strand of yarn
Work along the opposite side of the row just worked 1dc in first ch1ch in each chain until the last chain 2dc in last chain Now mark thelast stitch just worked with a different colour yarn so you can see theend of the round and keep moving this marker up to the last stitchworked
Rnd 3 Dc in each chain around working in spirals moving the stitchmarker as the piece grows Continue until the work measures thedesired length to fit the mobileiPod Fasten off and tie in loose ends
ch - chain stitchdc - double crochethtr - half treble crochetss - slip stitchtr - treble crochetst - stitch
Instructions for rose flower
Rnd 1 Using DK yarn in bright pink 1tr 2ch 1tr in 4th ch (skip 2ch1tr 2ch 1tr in next ch) 3 times (4 v- spaces)
Rnd 2 3ch 6tr into next v-space 1dc into space between v-spacesContinue with 6tr into each v-space and 1dc in between spaces untilend ss into last ch Fasten off
Roll the work with fingers from start to finish to create a small rose flower and sew together at thebase
Instructions for leaves
Using DK yarn and 300mm hook make 2 leaves as follows
Rnd 1 5ch dc in 2nd ch 1htr in next ch 1tr in each of next 2ch 3ch ss in base of last tr workedNow work on opposite side of stitches by turning the work
Rnd 2 3ch 1tr in each of next 2 ch 1htr in next ch dc ss in top of first st Fasten off and sew inloose ends
Assembly
Sew the leaves to the reverse of the rose and attach to the cosy as shown in the picture
Picot edging
Rnd 1 Using DK yarn in bright pink dc into each stitch around the edge of the cosy opening ss tofirst dc
Rnd 2 3ch ss into 2nd chain from hook ss into base of 3ch dc into next 2ch 3ch continuefrom to ss into last ch Fasten off and sew in loose ends
Written by Andrea Lesley Crochethttpwwwfolksycomshopsandrealesleycrochet
Materials
T - shirt - colour your choiceScissorsChainSewing needle and threadCorsage or embellishments
Step 1 First get a plain whitet-shirt
Step 2 Then cut off the neck Step 3 Now sew two pieces of chain to each side of where theneckline should be
Step 4 Cut a triangle out ofthe bottom of the t-shirt
Step 5 Tie the two ends thatare left into a knot or bow
Step 6 Finally add a corsageor flower to the front
Step 7 Now you have a bang on trend crop top simply wear over a vest top I loved designing andgokking up this t-shirt it took minutes and didnt cost a lot either
Corsage made by Madam SalamihttpwwwetsycomshopMadamSalami
Written By Heidi Jackson
Favourite finds from around the crafting communityThis months focus is Easter and Spring
Click on the images to take you to their store
Online StreetMISI
Ring With A FlowerBlue Fish Handmade
pound800
Spring necklace in glassand sterling silver
RosieJo Jewellerypound1275
Easter Eggs CardNaomi Constable
pound250
FOLKSY
Easter rabbit cushionwith choccie eggs
Phoebelinas Treasurespound500
Easter Knitted BagsFluerette
pound300
Small Gorgeous FeltSpring Bouquets
Spare Minute Productionspound2000
WOW THANK YOU
Green And Brown PetalFlower Bracelet
Sprinkles Sparklespound3750 inc pampp
Handmade Pink Canvas Wall Art(Set of 3)
Craft on Canvaspound3900 inc pampp
Blue Easter ChickDharmapaintings
pound12 20 inc pampp
All prices correct at the time of publication
Favourite finds from around the crafting communityThis months focus is Easter and Spring
Click on the images to take you to their store
Best PicksUGLY BE GONE
Handpainted DottyDolly Pegs
Ticketty Boopound650
Quirky Motifs ShopperRachael Taylor
pound1500
Collette the Cow BibBaby Boutique
pound1100
The Cutie Pie - recycledpaper butterfly shadow boxThe WingSpan Collection
pound6421
Easter 1 Square PendantHappy Easter Spring Flowers
Miss Gooseberry Pendantspound321
ETSY
RETROEasterplastic springfling daisy clip-on earringsamber brown makes art
pound208ARTFIRE
Easter Egg Mini Cards 2x2 6Peculiar Parchment
pound170
Spring Chicks - Little FusedGlass Dish - Easter Gift
First Light Glasspound926
4 Chocolate Easter ParadeBunny Lollipops extra large
Candy Cottagepound741
All prices correct at the time of publication
What you will need3 x 10 inch lengths of purple Cylon cord10mm silver plated lobster clasp and clasp tag2 x silver plated fold over necklace endsApprox 24 Rose Quartz gemstone chip beads(holes need to be large enough to thread onelength of the cylon cord though)2 x 4mm silver plated jump rings
Rose Quartz is the stone of unconditionalloveIt purifies and opens the heart helping thewearer to love themselves as well as others
Rose Quartz draws off negative energy andhelps release unexpressed emotions
Encourages self forgiveness and acceptanceaids self trust and self worth
I find it easier to use a macrame board for making this type of bracelet as it make it easier tokeep the design neat but its not essential I use a simple board made from a cork notice boardand pins I also use nylon nosed pliers to fold over the necklace ends as I find metal pliers oftenleave marks but again they arent essential
Step 2 Thread a chip bead onto each of the outer lengths ofcord
Step 3 Cross the outer cordsover the middle one as youwould in a braid Then braid thecords again
Step 1 Attach one of thenecklace ends to one end ofthe three lengths of CyloncordYou can then use the hole inthe end to attach the braceletto your board
Make a Rose Quartz Bracelet
Step 6 Attach the secondnecklace end to the three cordwithout cutting them as it makesit easier The ends can then betrimmed with a craft knife orsharp scissors
Step 7 Using the jump ringsattach the clasp to one end ofthe bracelet and the clasp tagto the other
Step 4 Thread two chip beadson to the new outer lengths ofcord and braid as in the previousstep
Step 5 Repeat step three and four untilthe bracelet reaches seven inchesor your desired length
(The clasp section will measureapproximately one inch)
If the cord ends become frayed they canbe fixed with a little super glue
Step 8 And there you areOne finished rose quartzbracelet
Would you like to share a craft project with Creative Crafting
Let us know what project you would like toshare with us
Anything from jewellery knitting and crochetcrafts paper crafts or a craft you feel hasbeen forgotten about
Email thecrystalladycreative-craftingcom
Written by Elderberry Artshttpwwwelderberryartscouk
To those who are not yet aware Prince William and Kate Middleton will tie the knot this month onFriday 29th April in a quiet little ceremony at Westminster Abbey To some this may mean getting aday off to celebrate the nuptials or actually attend the whole affair To others like myself who areself-employed there will be no day off and hence little difference from a normal day but we can stillbe happy for the two love birds entering a state of marital bliss for the first timeIn these uncertain economic times I am not sure how the Royal Wedding will affect the economyhow much money will people want to spend Will this mean street parties like those that dominatemany peoplersquos memories from Prince Charles and Dianarsquos wedding back in 1981 Will there be arush to purchase ridiculously crass lsquosouvenirrsquo mugs plates tea towels or will the market just not bethere at all with all the unsold Royal Wedding goods in the pound shops by JuneThe handmade and crafting sector needs to be aware of the sales potential created by this Royalevent and so products should be made available to support the celebrations and possibly make thecountry feel good about itself again Maybe a lovely warm spring day in April will be good for thecountry and make it forget its economic woes for a few hoursWe asked a number of our sellers about their experience of the last big Royal Wedding (Charles andDiana) and what they are going to do this time to celebrate There were mixed feelings ndash manywere too young to remember much about the 1981 event and even though I remember a day offfrom school I cannot remember any street parties or spontaneous Mardi Gras This time around Ithink money will be a big factor and most people will not stray too far from a bit of home baking inred white and blue and also a show of patriotic bunting Union Jacks are quite the lsquoin thingrsquo at themoment for interior design and so a patriotic statement may double as being hip and trendy
Kim Lampard of Zigzag Bunting thinks a great way tocelebrate the Royal Wedding is to make your own buntingShe suggests pulling together a pile of fabrics that you nolonger need but that hold cherished memories for you forexample your daughterrsquos first cute dress a tea-towel youbought on a special holiday an old bedspread made by your
Granny Even if the items are damaged so cannot be passed on to others there is always a littlecorner that can be cut up into a triangle to make a bunting flag Mix a few of these together and ifyou have enough for a colour scheme (such as red white and blue) fine but donrsquot worry the flagsdonrsquot even need to be the same size Sometimes a shabby chic lsquoMix and Matchrsquo approach turns outto be perfect Sew the fabric triangles onto a piece of ribbon or bias tape and you will have awonderful string of bunting to decorate for the special day You and your family will remember notonly the Royal Wedding when you bring out that bunting but have extra glimpses of their past inthe fabrics Definitely a memento to cherish
Gaye Weekes of A amp V Designs now lives in Snowdonia North Wales and onlyan hour away from Anglesey where the Royal couple will begin their marriedlife She has no doubt had that His Highness has been hovering over theirremote valley in his helicopter over recent months Gaye plans to be flying redwhite and green Welsh bunting for the wedding Her bunting is made fromvintage fabric from the 1950s and 1960s - a cotton heavy woven greenand cream floral and a jolly red and white gingham She adds ldquo
rdquo
This article was written by
from
httpwwwwowthankyoucouk
Karine Ait-Mohamed of The Pink Fairy Cake isFrench but now lives in England She says ldquo
rdquo In the spirit of the occasion Karinehas produced a product that combines both England and France into the celebration Shehas produced sets of two Union Jack hearts filled with lavender from Chateau la Gabelle inHaute-Provence
Lisa MacDonald of LisaMollyMacDonaldis quite enthusiastic about the weddingand getting caught up in the glamour of the
occasion ldquo
rdquo
Lou Carswell of Loubie Jewels has some prettyfantastic red white and blue jewellery which wouldbe suitable for a Royal wedding celebration She told
us ldquo
rdquo
So what can we gather from these observations It will be a nice idea to celebrate the RoyalWedding If we apply a little lsquowartimersquo austerity (handmade lends itself to recycling andupcycling) we shouldnrsquot have to spend a fortune We can step back from commercialism andbe involved in a low key but meaningful way that will make the event more memorable for itssimplicity and just a little thrift God Bless William and Kate
Tell us about yourself
My name is Sandra Ritchie I live in Cleethorpes UK with my husbandJason my 10 year old daughter Alisha my 2 year old son Alfred andour dog Dumbledore Primarily I am a housewife but in my sparetime I make jewellery of all kinds from beaded pieces to metal workbut mainly I make custom-made bespoke precious metal jewellery
When did your crafting begin and why
Many years ago I studied Jewellery and Metal Art at college andover time Ive collected the tools I needed but never got round tosetting up a workroom until 2009 when my Husband pointed outthat our Utility Room would be perfect for me to set up as aworkroom to start making jewellery again It seemed ideal Ialready had people interested in me making them some jewelleryand it meant I could stay at home and look after the children as wellas try to establish a name for myself as a Jewellery designermaker
What was the first item you made to sell online
The first item I made to sell whilst not specifically to sell online was asilver octopus necklace commissioned by an acquaintance of mine thathad seen the silver octopus necklace that I made for myself whilst atcollege and wanted one like it She has since purchased the silver andcopper entwined Dragon necklace and a commissioned silver Dragonand is back on my list for another piece to be made My number onefan I think
What is your biggest crafting achievement and why
I love all the pieces Ive created especially my Custom work but myfavourite piece of all is the Greenman necklace I was approached tomake something as a surprise for someone and was basically giventhe opportunity to produce something different to my usual pieces Ilove making pieces that are based on peoples ideas of what theywant that is really special but the Greenman necklace was mydesign based on what the customer wanted it to represent I had toteach myself etching for the piece as its something Id never learntand Im really pleased with how it worked out
Other than crafting what else do you like to do
I love spending time with my children and family I love baking andcooking too and I suppose I should admit to enjoying the oddrelaxing glass (or bottle) of nice wine when the children are in bed
wwwlittlefairycultcouk
Where would you like to be in 5 years
In 5 years time Id love to be in a better financial position so I canbuy silver and make silver jewellery to sell that isnt just Custom-made Ive started sneaking a few pieces of precious metal jewellerythat are for general sale onto my site
Where does your inspiration come from
My inspiration is usually from the customers themselves They tell mewhat it is they want and I design a piece to reflect that Sometimes theyalter the design slightly to reflect more of how they want it and that isfine For my bead jewellery its usually what beads I have in myworkroom that inspire my beaded pieces I very rarely buy beads for thereason that I have a design idea and usually just buy mixed lots of beadsand work with what I have
What are your favourite materials and why
I really love working with precious metals There is somethinguniquely satisfying about taking a flat sheet of metal and turning itinto a beautiful piece of jewellery Thats why I take pictures of thepieces as I am making them so that other people and the customerwhos item it is can enjoy seeing it progress from a blank piece ofprecious metal into the finished piece
What is favourite shop online that isnrsquot yours and why
Oh my There are so many amazing websites offering beautiful andunique handmade items but I will always take a look at Etsy to see ifthere is anything that catches my eye on there They have such a largevariety of designerssellers making almost everything but the kitchen sink(though I bet if you looked hard enough youd find one on there) Ireally enjoy the little treasuries they do too where you can browse aselection of items that are grouped together by themes
Has any person helped or supported you more than any other
I have had a lot of support from the good friends I have gained on Twitter and of coursemy real life friends have been extremely supportive too but the main reason I actuallysorted out my workroom (or corner of the utility room) was due to my husband insistingthat I start making jewellery again Luckily his insistence and support paid off virtuallystraight away when a friend asked for the octopus necklace I mentioned earlier to bemade
Tell us a random fact about yourself
I have known the sex of each child and whether Id be carrying one or more before I evenconceived them Fairly random but fact nevertheless
Kit includes seed beads 5 x handmade glass beads choker wire x 3 banglewire x 2 ring wire x 3 jewellery pliers beading mat instructions
Makes 8 fabulous and individual pieces of jewellery without the need forfiddly findings books or other money-wasters
Beaded Jewellery Kitpound12Japan Crafts
A coordinating selection of beads plus step-by-step full colour instructions to make your own version of the Jungle Collar design Learn how to work peyote stitch edge it with drops and embellish it with a lush fringe and beaded flowers and leaves Let your beading imagination run wild
Each kit is hand-picked and slightly different so the beads you receive may not be the exact onesshown in the photograph but you can be certain that your necklace will be uniqueThe kit comes carefully packaged in a handy reusable storage box the only things yoursquoll need inaddition are a beading needle a spool of nylon beading thread and some sharp scissors
Beadweaving Kit for Jungle Collar
pound38Lynn Davy
Fairy Earrings Jewellery Making Kit - Ages 7yrs+
pound5Jewellery Making Kits
These single kits are fabulous for all crafty and creative girls They also make great presents for school friends nieces sisters or even grown ups Each kit includes Sterling Silver earwires or studs a small selection of flowers for the skirt a pair of wings a few coloured glass pearls for the heads silver headpin Organza Bag Full set of instructionsSuitable for ages 7 years and up Requires a pair of pliers to finish off - all instructions included
Bracelet Kit - Chunky Swarovski Pearl and Crystal with Toggle Clasp
pound750Wonderstuff Craft Kits
A little kit of bronze Swarovski pearls and Golden Shadow Swarovski crystals silk and toggle clasp
Kit includes 11 x Swarovski 12mm Pearls Colour - Soft Bronze 3 x Swarovski Crystal 8mm Rondelles - Colour - Golden Shadow 8 x Swarovski Crystal 4mmBicones Colour - Light Colorado Topaz 1 x Silver Plated Toggle Bar 1 x Silver plated Toggle RingBracelet length of threading silk Instructions
This kit contains top quality beads to make an exquisite braceletno special tools are needed
Jewellery making kits
from the small crafterWersquove found a selection of wonderful beading kits for allages and experience These are not massed producedsets but offered by the small crafter
This article was created by The Crystal Lady httpwwwmysticearthcouk
This Months
This months lsquoMan of the Monthrsquo is Ade (Adrian)EdmondsonChosen by MegampMillie
This months lsquoLady of the Monthrsquo is GwenStefaniChosen by Claire Pearcy from Elderberry Arts
httpwwwgwenstefanicom
httpwwwunrealitytvcouklets-dance-for-comic-relieflets-dance-for-comic-relief-results-ade-edmondson-and-eighties-super-group-make-next-weeks-final
(Nothing like an April Fools)
This months lsquoBlog of the Month Awardrsquo goes to lsquoItrsquos All Fiddle Fartrsquo
httpitsallfiddlefartblogspotcom
This months lsquoShop of the Month Awardrsquo goes to lsquoJulias DriftwoodFurniturersquo
httpwwwfolksycomshopsseasandview123
ww
wc
reativ
e-cr
afting
co
mw
ww
cr
eative-c
on
nec
tion
snin
gc
om
CREATIVE CRAFTING
Our next issue will be available to read on
1st June 2010If you have missed any of our issues you
can find them to read on our websitewwwcreative-craftingcom
And also on our Social Network Creative Connectionswwwcreative-connectionsningcom
To advertise in Creative Crafting or to submit an article please contact Annaat thecrystalladycreative-craftingcom
AUGUSTSUMMER 2010
Issue 5
By Crafters for Crafters
Check out our
CraftersDirectory
CREATIVE CRAFTING
By Crafters for Crafters
Issue 3
ValentinesMothers Day 2010
HandcraftedWeddingSpecial
Valentine ampMothers Day
Projects
Have youbeen
featured
By Crafters for Crafters
Issue 3ValentinesMothers Day 2010
Handcrafted
Wedding
SpecialValentine amp
Mothers Day
ProjectsHave you
been
featured
By
EASTER 2010
Issue 4
FATHERS DAY 2010
Issue 4
By Crafters for Crafters
Ch
eck out our
Craft
ersDirectory
AUGUSTSUMMER 2
010
Issu
e 5
By Craf
ters fo
r Craf
ters
Chec
k out our
Crafters
Directory
CREATIVE
C
RAFTINGAU
TUM
N H
ALLO
WEE
N 201
0Is
sue
7
CREA
TIVE
CRAF
TIN
G
By Craf
ters f
or C
rafter
s
Chec
k
out our
Craft
ersDirect
ory
An
niv
ersa
ry
Issu
e
Donrsquot forget
All of our links andadverts are fullyclickable
If you would like to embed our magazine into your website blog myspace page etc you can
customise the code to suit your style and size
AUTUMN HALLOWEEN 2010
Issue 7CREATIVE CRAFTING
By Crafters for Crafters
Check out our
CraftersDirectory
Anniversary
Issue
CHRISTMAS 2010
Issue 8
By Crafters for Crafters
FATHERS DAY 2010
Issue 4
By Crafters for Crafters
Check out our
Crafters
Directory
EASTER 2010
Issue 4
By Crafters for Crafters
By Crafters for Crafters
VALENTINES 2011Issue 9
CREATIVE CRAFTING
Lilac Lace Heart LocketJewellery by Bina
Vintage Victorian StyledSweetheart Locket
Miss Bohemia
pound17
pound15
Emerald Bewitched
youmin
$40
The Bright Forest Locket
marisolspoon
$35
Cameral Locket
mydogandi
$2750
Creative CraftingFavourite
This article was created by
The Crystal Ladyhttpwwwmysticearthcouk
Lockets may sound very old fashioned but if you have a wander through thehandmade sites you will find a wealth of very modern and extremely beautifuldesigns Perfect for you to carry your loved ones with you wherever you go
Bee Joyful LocketThe Whimsical Wren
pound10
SteampunkWatch Mechanism
Locketedmdesigns
$85
Luscious LocketsLuscious Lockets
Who likes Chocolate CakeThis is a great recipe for Easter Mothers day or any other daylets admit it we all love chocolate
Ingredients
7 oz self raising flour8 oz caster sugar1 teaspoon of salt2 tablespoons of cocoa powder4 oz margarine2 eggs beaten with5 tablespoons evaporated milk5 tablespoons water1 teaspoon vanilla essence
1 Sift together flour sugar and salt and cocoa2 Rub in margarine3 Stir in eggs essence and liquids then beat well4 Grease and flour 2 8 inch cake tins divide the mixture between them5 Bake in a moderate over 325-350 F gas mark 3 about 35 minutes6 When cold sandwich together and cover in milk chocolate icing
Milk chocolate Icing
Ingredients
2 and a half oz margarine or butter4 tablespoons cocoa8 oz sieved icing sugar3 tablespoons hot milk1 teaspoon vanilla essence
Melt the margarine or butter and blend incocoa powder then stir in icing sugar milkand vanilla essence Beat until smooth andthick
We hope you all enjoy the recipe we would love to see anypictures of chocolate cakes that you make
Instructions
Instructions
Written and reviewed by Peggyrsquos Knitshttppeggyscollectionwebscom
By Sprinkles Sparkleshttpwwwsprinklessparklescouk
All prices are correct at the time of publication
Budget amp LuxurySpring special
Woodland DaffodilsCharm Bracelet
Coco Angel Rosepound1600
Spring Flower Hair ClipFlutter2me
pound450
Spring flowers broochDi Does Craft
pound800
Pink Spring Clutchfunky diva designs
pound1750
Cupcake BuntingCotton Cottage
pound1650
Purple TulipsWildrose Ridge
pound350
Chickadees and LilacsStained Glass WindowStained Glass Addie
pound4940
The Charlotte - SageRosalind Jamespound14500
Springtime 16 Crayon RollApple n Amos
pound509
Buttercup earrings in softyellow with peridot and brass
Goblins Marketpound401
Springtime DalaFolk Horse HangingDecoration - YellowCourt and Spark
pound400
D A P H N E - BrokenChina Plate Pendant
and Sterling Silver NecklaceDesigns by Mila
pound2228
To make the leaves
Using DK yarn and 300 mm hook make 5 leaves as follows
Rnd 1 9ch dc in 2nd ch 1htr in next ch 1tr in each of next 6ch 3ch ss in base of last tr worked
Now work on opposite side of stitches by turning the work
Rnd 2 3ch 1tr in each of next 6ch 1htr in next ch dc ss in top of first stFasten off and sew in loose ends
Materials
Small quantity of DK yarn I have used a yarn with awool-mix but any DK yarn of your choice will be suitableSmall quantity of kid mohair yarn (use two strands together)300 mm hook200 mm hookOne large buttonBrooch pinSewing needle
To make the small rose
Using a 200 mm hook and working two strands of kid mohair yarn together 13ch
Rnd 1 1tr 2ch 1tr in 4th ch (skip 2ch 1tr 2ch 1tr in next ch) 3 times (4 v- spaces)
Rnd 2 3ch 6tr into next v-space 1dc into space between v-spaces Continue with 6tr into eachv-space and 1dc in between spaces until end ss into last ch Fasten off
Roll the work with fingers from start to finish to create a small rose flower and sew together at thebase
Assembling the brooch
Turn the flower so the right side is facing up and sew the button in the centre of the flowerAttach the rose to the centre of the button as shown in diagram Sew a brooch pin to the back of theflower to complete the brooch
Arrange the 5 leaves to form a circle so thecorners of the leaves are touching Sew eachcorner together to form the petals of aflower
Turn the work so the wrong side is facing upand close the hole by sewing together withthe same DK yarn used to make the leaves
Crochet Flower Brooch
ch - chain stitchdc - double crochethtr - half treble crochetss - slip stitchtr - treble crochetst - stitch
Crochet Mobile PhoneiPod Cosy
Materials
50g Dk yarn in mustard colourSmall quantity of DK yarn in bright pink for picot edgingof cosy and small roseSmall quantity of DK yarn in sage green for leaves of roseflowerSize 300mm hook
Instructions for the cosy
The cosy can be made to fit a mobile phoneiPod of your choice
Pattern note the pattern is worked in dc throughout and worked in the round using the tapestrycrochet method of crochet This involves carrying a second yarn below the first making it verystrong
Foundation row
Using one strand of DK yarn in mustard make a chain that measures the width of your mobilephoneipod
Rnd 1 dc across row until the last chain 2dc in last chain Turn work
Rnd 2 Begin to carry a second strand of mustard yarn throughouteach round and every round from now on This yarn is not worked butcarried below the first strand of yarn
Work along the opposite side of the row just worked 1dc in first ch1ch in each chain until the last chain 2dc in last chain Now mark thelast stitch just worked with a different colour yarn so you can see theend of the round and keep moving this marker up to the last stitchworked
Rnd 3 Dc in each chain around working in spirals moving the stitchmarker as the piece grows Continue until the work measures thedesired length to fit the mobileiPod Fasten off and tie in loose ends
ch - chain stitchdc - double crochethtr - half treble crochetss - slip stitchtr - treble crochetst - stitch
Instructions for rose flower
Rnd 1 Using DK yarn in bright pink 1tr 2ch 1tr in 4th ch (skip 2ch1tr 2ch 1tr in next ch) 3 times (4 v- spaces)
Rnd 2 3ch 6tr into next v-space 1dc into space between v-spacesContinue with 6tr into each v-space and 1dc in between spaces untilend ss into last ch Fasten off
Roll the work with fingers from start to finish to create a small rose flower and sew together at thebase
Instructions for leaves
Using DK yarn and 300mm hook make 2 leaves as follows
Rnd 1 5ch dc in 2nd ch 1htr in next ch 1tr in each of next 2ch 3ch ss in base of last tr workedNow work on opposite side of stitches by turning the work
Rnd 2 3ch 1tr in each of next 2 ch 1htr in next ch dc ss in top of first st Fasten off and sew inloose ends
Assembly
Sew the leaves to the reverse of the rose and attach to the cosy as shown in the picture
Picot edging
Rnd 1 Using DK yarn in bright pink dc into each stitch around the edge of the cosy opening ss tofirst dc
Rnd 2 3ch ss into 2nd chain from hook ss into base of 3ch dc into next 2ch 3ch continuefrom to ss into last ch Fasten off and sew in loose ends
Written by Andrea Lesley Crochethttpwwwfolksycomshopsandrealesleycrochet
Materials
T - shirt - colour your choiceScissorsChainSewing needle and threadCorsage or embellishments
Step 1 First get a plain whitet-shirt
Step 2 Then cut off the neck Step 3 Now sew two pieces of chain to each side of where theneckline should be
Step 4 Cut a triangle out ofthe bottom of the t-shirt
Step 5 Tie the two ends thatare left into a knot or bow
Step 6 Finally add a corsageor flower to the front
Step 7 Now you have a bang on trend crop top simply wear over a vest top I loved designing andgokking up this t-shirt it took minutes and didnt cost a lot either
Corsage made by Madam SalamihttpwwwetsycomshopMadamSalami
Written By Heidi Jackson
Favourite finds from around the crafting communityThis months focus is Easter and Spring
Click on the images to take you to their store
Online StreetMISI
Ring With A FlowerBlue Fish Handmade
pound800
Spring necklace in glassand sterling silver
RosieJo Jewellerypound1275
Easter Eggs CardNaomi Constable
pound250
FOLKSY
Easter rabbit cushionwith choccie eggs
Phoebelinas Treasurespound500
Easter Knitted BagsFluerette
pound300
Small Gorgeous FeltSpring Bouquets
Spare Minute Productionspound2000
WOW THANK YOU
Green And Brown PetalFlower Bracelet
Sprinkles Sparklespound3750 inc pampp
Handmade Pink Canvas Wall Art(Set of 3)
Craft on Canvaspound3900 inc pampp
Blue Easter ChickDharmapaintings
pound12 20 inc pampp
All prices correct at the time of publication
Favourite finds from around the crafting communityThis months focus is Easter and Spring
Click on the images to take you to their store
Best PicksUGLY BE GONE
Handpainted DottyDolly Pegs
Ticketty Boopound650
Quirky Motifs ShopperRachael Taylor
pound1500
Collette the Cow BibBaby Boutique
pound1100
The Cutie Pie - recycledpaper butterfly shadow boxThe WingSpan Collection
pound6421
Easter 1 Square PendantHappy Easter Spring Flowers
Miss Gooseberry Pendantspound321
ETSY
RETROEasterplastic springfling daisy clip-on earringsamber brown makes art
pound208ARTFIRE
Easter Egg Mini Cards 2x2 6Peculiar Parchment
pound170
Spring Chicks - Little FusedGlass Dish - Easter Gift
First Light Glasspound926
4 Chocolate Easter ParadeBunny Lollipops extra large
Candy Cottagepound741
All prices correct at the time of publication
What you will need3 x 10 inch lengths of purple Cylon cord10mm silver plated lobster clasp and clasp tag2 x silver plated fold over necklace endsApprox 24 Rose Quartz gemstone chip beads(holes need to be large enough to thread onelength of the cylon cord though)2 x 4mm silver plated jump rings
Rose Quartz is the stone of unconditionalloveIt purifies and opens the heart helping thewearer to love themselves as well as others
Rose Quartz draws off negative energy andhelps release unexpressed emotions
Encourages self forgiveness and acceptanceaids self trust and self worth
I find it easier to use a macrame board for making this type of bracelet as it make it easier tokeep the design neat but its not essential I use a simple board made from a cork notice boardand pins I also use nylon nosed pliers to fold over the necklace ends as I find metal pliers oftenleave marks but again they arent essential
Step 2 Thread a chip bead onto each of the outer lengths ofcord
Step 3 Cross the outer cordsover the middle one as youwould in a braid Then braid thecords again
Step 1 Attach one of thenecklace ends to one end ofthe three lengths of CyloncordYou can then use the hole inthe end to attach the braceletto your board
Make a Rose Quartz Bracelet
Step 6 Attach the secondnecklace end to the three cordwithout cutting them as it makesit easier The ends can then betrimmed with a craft knife orsharp scissors
Step 7 Using the jump ringsattach the clasp to one end ofthe bracelet and the clasp tagto the other
Step 4 Thread two chip beadson to the new outer lengths ofcord and braid as in the previousstep
Step 5 Repeat step three and four untilthe bracelet reaches seven inchesor your desired length
(The clasp section will measureapproximately one inch)
If the cord ends become frayed they canbe fixed with a little super glue
Step 8 And there you areOne finished rose quartzbracelet
Would you like to share a craft project with Creative Crafting
Let us know what project you would like toshare with us
Anything from jewellery knitting and crochetcrafts paper crafts or a craft you feel hasbeen forgotten about
Email thecrystalladycreative-craftingcom
Written by Elderberry Artshttpwwwelderberryartscouk
To those who are not yet aware Prince William and Kate Middleton will tie the knot this month onFriday 29th April in a quiet little ceremony at Westminster Abbey To some this may mean getting aday off to celebrate the nuptials or actually attend the whole affair To others like myself who areself-employed there will be no day off and hence little difference from a normal day but we can stillbe happy for the two love birds entering a state of marital bliss for the first timeIn these uncertain economic times I am not sure how the Royal Wedding will affect the economyhow much money will people want to spend Will this mean street parties like those that dominatemany peoplersquos memories from Prince Charles and Dianarsquos wedding back in 1981 Will there be arush to purchase ridiculously crass lsquosouvenirrsquo mugs plates tea towels or will the market just not bethere at all with all the unsold Royal Wedding goods in the pound shops by JuneThe handmade and crafting sector needs to be aware of the sales potential created by this Royalevent and so products should be made available to support the celebrations and possibly make thecountry feel good about itself again Maybe a lovely warm spring day in April will be good for thecountry and make it forget its economic woes for a few hoursWe asked a number of our sellers about their experience of the last big Royal Wedding (Charles andDiana) and what they are going to do this time to celebrate There were mixed feelings ndash manywere too young to remember much about the 1981 event and even though I remember a day offfrom school I cannot remember any street parties or spontaneous Mardi Gras This time around Ithink money will be a big factor and most people will not stray too far from a bit of home baking inred white and blue and also a show of patriotic bunting Union Jacks are quite the lsquoin thingrsquo at themoment for interior design and so a patriotic statement may double as being hip and trendy
Kim Lampard of Zigzag Bunting thinks a great way tocelebrate the Royal Wedding is to make your own buntingShe suggests pulling together a pile of fabrics that you nolonger need but that hold cherished memories for you forexample your daughterrsquos first cute dress a tea-towel youbought on a special holiday an old bedspread made by your
Granny Even if the items are damaged so cannot be passed on to others there is always a littlecorner that can be cut up into a triangle to make a bunting flag Mix a few of these together and ifyou have enough for a colour scheme (such as red white and blue) fine but donrsquot worry the flagsdonrsquot even need to be the same size Sometimes a shabby chic lsquoMix and Matchrsquo approach turns outto be perfect Sew the fabric triangles onto a piece of ribbon or bias tape and you will have awonderful string of bunting to decorate for the special day You and your family will remember notonly the Royal Wedding when you bring out that bunting but have extra glimpses of their past inthe fabrics Definitely a memento to cherish
Gaye Weekes of A amp V Designs now lives in Snowdonia North Wales and onlyan hour away from Anglesey where the Royal couple will begin their marriedlife She has no doubt had that His Highness has been hovering over theirremote valley in his helicopter over recent months Gaye plans to be flying redwhite and green Welsh bunting for the wedding Her bunting is made fromvintage fabric from the 1950s and 1960s - a cotton heavy woven greenand cream floral and a jolly red and white gingham She adds ldquo
rdquo
This article was written by
from
httpwwwwowthankyoucouk
Karine Ait-Mohamed of The Pink Fairy Cake isFrench but now lives in England She says ldquo
rdquo In the spirit of the occasion Karinehas produced a product that combines both England and France into the celebration Shehas produced sets of two Union Jack hearts filled with lavender from Chateau la Gabelle inHaute-Provence
Lisa MacDonald of LisaMollyMacDonaldis quite enthusiastic about the weddingand getting caught up in the glamour of the
occasion ldquo
rdquo
Lou Carswell of Loubie Jewels has some prettyfantastic red white and blue jewellery which wouldbe suitable for a Royal wedding celebration She told
us ldquo
rdquo
So what can we gather from these observations It will be a nice idea to celebrate the RoyalWedding If we apply a little lsquowartimersquo austerity (handmade lends itself to recycling andupcycling) we shouldnrsquot have to spend a fortune We can step back from commercialism andbe involved in a low key but meaningful way that will make the event more memorable for itssimplicity and just a little thrift God Bless William and Kate
Tell us about yourself
My name is Sandra Ritchie I live in Cleethorpes UK with my husbandJason my 10 year old daughter Alisha my 2 year old son Alfred andour dog Dumbledore Primarily I am a housewife but in my sparetime I make jewellery of all kinds from beaded pieces to metal workbut mainly I make custom-made bespoke precious metal jewellery
When did your crafting begin and why
Many years ago I studied Jewellery and Metal Art at college andover time Ive collected the tools I needed but never got round tosetting up a workroom until 2009 when my Husband pointed outthat our Utility Room would be perfect for me to set up as aworkroom to start making jewellery again It seemed ideal Ialready had people interested in me making them some jewelleryand it meant I could stay at home and look after the children as wellas try to establish a name for myself as a Jewellery designermaker
What was the first item you made to sell online
The first item I made to sell whilst not specifically to sell online was asilver octopus necklace commissioned by an acquaintance of mine thathad seen the silver octopus necklace that I made for myself whilst atcollege and wanted one like it She has since purchased the silver andcopper entwined Dragon necklace and a commissioned silver Dragonand is back on my list for another piece to be made My number onefan I think
What is your biggest crafting achievement and why
I love all the pieces Ive created especially my Custom work but myfavourite piece of all is the Greenman necklace I was approached tomake something as a surprise for someone and was basically giventhe opportunity to produce something different to my usual pieces Ilove making pieces that are based on peoples ideas of what theywant that is really special but the Greenman necklace was mydesign based on what the customer wanted it to represent I had toteach myself etching for the piece as its something Id never learntand Im really pleased with how it worked out
Other than crafting what else do you like to do
I love spending time with my children and family I love baking andcooking too and I suppose I should admit to enjoying the oddrelaxing glass (or bottle) of nice wine when the children are in bed
wwwlittlefairycultcouk
Where would you like to be in 5 years
In 5 years time Id love to be in a better financial position so I canbuy silver and make silver jewellery to sell that isnt just Custom-made Ive started sneaking a few pieces of precious metal jewellerythat are for general sale onto my site
Where does your inspiration come from
My inspiration is usually from the customers themselves They tell mewhat it is they want and I design a piece to reflect that Sometimes theyalter the design slightly to reflect more of how they want it and that isfine For my bead jewellery its usually what beads I have in myworkroom that inspire my beaded pieces I very rarely buy beads for thereason that I have a design idea and usually just buy mixed lots of beadsand work with what I have
What are your favourite materials and why
I really love working with precious metals There is somethinguniquely satisfying about taking a flat sheet of metal and turning itinto a beautiful piece of jewellery Thats why I take pictures of thepieces as I am making them so that other people and the customerwhos item it is can enjoy seeing it progress from a blank piece ofprecious metal into the finished piece
What is favourite shop online that isnrsquot yours and why
Oh my There are so many amazing websites offering beautiful andunique handmade items but I will always take a look at Etsy to see ifthere is anything that catches my eye on there They have such a largevariety of designerssellers making almost everything but the kitchen sink(though I bet if you looked hard enough youd find one on there) Ireally enjoy the little treasuries they do too where you can browse aselection of items that are grouped together by themes
Has any person helped or supported you more than any other
I have had a lot of support from the good friends I have gained on Twitter and of coursemy real life friends have been extremely supportive too but the main reason I actuallysorted out my workroom (or corner of the utility room) was due to my husband insistingthat I start making jewellery again Luckily his insistence and support paid off virtuallystraight away when a friend asked for the octopus necklace I mentioned earlier to bemade
Tell us a random fact about yourself
I have known the sex of each child and whether Id be carrying one or more before I evenconceived them Fairly random but fact nevertheless
Kit includes seed beads 5 x handmade glass beads choker wire x 3 banglewire x 2 ring wire x 3 jewellery pliers beading mat instructions
Makes 8 fabulous and individual pieces of jewellery without the need forfiddly findings books or other money-wasters
Beaded Jewellery Kitpound12Japan Crafts
A coordinating selection of beads plus step-by-step full colour instructions to make your own version of the Jungle Collar design Learn how to work peyote stitch edge it with drops and embellish it with a lush fringe and beaded flowers and leaves Let your beading imagination run wild
Each kit is hand-picked and slightly different so the beads you receive may not be the exact onesshown in the photograph but you can be certain that your necklace will be uniqueThe kit comes carefully packaged in a handy reusable storage box the only things yoursquoll need inaddition are a beading needle a spool of nylon beading thread and some sharp scissors
Beadweaving Kit for Jungle Collar
pound38Lynn Davy
Fairy Earrings Jewellery Making Kit - Ages 7yrs+
pound5Jewellery Making Kits
These single kits are fabulous for all crafty and creative girls They also make great presents for school friends nieces sisters or even grown ups Each kit includes Sterling Silver earwires or studs a small selection of flowers for the skirt a pair of wings a few coloured glass pearls for the heads silver headpin Organza Bag Full set of instructionsSuitable for ages 7 years and up Requires a pair of pliers to finish off - all instructions included
Bracelet Kit - Chunky Swarovski Pearl and Crystal with Toggle Clasp
pound750Wonderstuff Craft Kits
A little kit of bronze Swarovski pearls and Golden Shadow Swarovski crystals silk and toggle clasp
Kit includes 11 x Swarovski 12mm Pearls Colour - Soft Bronze 3 x Swarovski Crystal 8mm Rondelles - Colour - Golden Shadow 8 x Swarovski Crystal 4mmBicones Colour - Light Colorado Topaz 1 x Silver Plated Toggle Bar 1 x Silver plated Toggle RingBracelet length of threading silk Instructions
This kit contains top quality beads to make an exquisite braceletno special tools are needed
Jewellery making kits
from the small crafterWersquove found a selection of wonderful beading kits for allages and experience These are not massed producedsets but offered by the small crafter
This article was created by The Crystal Lady httpwwwmysticearthcouk
This Months
This months lsquoMan of the Monthrsquo is Ade (Adrian)EdmondsonChosen by MegampMillie
This months lsquoLady of the Monthrsquo is GwenStefaniChosen by Claire Pearcy from Elderberry Arts
httpwwwgwenstefanicom
httpwwwunrealitytvcouklets-dance-for-comic-relieflets-dance-for-comic-relief-results-ade-edmondson-and-eighties-super-group-make-next-weeks-final
(Nothing like an April Fools)
This months lsquoBlog of the Month Awardrsquo goes to lsquoItrsquos All Fiddle Fartrsquo
httpitsallfiddlefartblogspotcom
This months lsquoShop of the Month Awardrsquo goes to lsquoJulias DriftwoodFurniturersquo
httpwwwfolksycomshopsseasandview123
ww
wc
reativ
e-cr
afting
co
mw
ww
cr
eative-c
on
nec
tion
snin
gc
om
CREATIVE CRAFTING
Our next issue will be available to read on
1st June 2010If you have missed any of our issues you
can find them to read on our websitewwwcreative-craftingcom
And also on our Social Network Creative Connectionswwwcreative-connectionsningcom
To advertise in Creative Crafting or to submit an article please contact Annaat thecrystalladycreative-craftingcom
AUGUSTSUMMER 2010
Issue 5
By Crafters for Crafters
Check out our
CraftersDirectory
CREATIVE CRAFTING
By Crafters for Crafters
Issue 3
ValentinesMothers Day 2010
HandcraftedWeddingSpecial
Valentine ampMothers Day
Projects
Have youbeen
featured
By Crafters for Crafters
Issue 3ValentinesMothers Day 2010
Handcrafted
Wedding
SpecialValentine amp
Mothers Day
ProjectsHave you
been
featured
By
EASTER 2010
Issue 4
FATHERS DAY 2010
Issue 4
By Crafters for Crafters
Ch
eck out our
Craft
ersDirectory
AUGUSTSUMMER 2
010
Issu
e 5
By Craf
ters fo
r Craf
ters
Chec
k out our
Crafters
Directory
CREATIVE
C
RAFTINGAU
TUM
N H
ALLO
WEE
N 201
0Is
sue
7
CREA
TIVE
CRAF
TIN
G
By Craf
ters f
or C
rafter
s
Chec
k
out our
Craft
ersDirect
ory
An
niv
ersa
ry
Issu
e
Donrsquot forget
All of our links andadverts are fullyclickable
If you would like to embed our magazine into your website blog myspace page etc you can
customise the code to suit your style and size
AUTUMN HALLOWEEN 2010
Issue 7CREATIVE CRAFTING
By Crafters for Crafters
Check out our
CraftersDirectory
Anniversary
Issue
CHRISTMAS 2010
Issue 8
By Crafters for Crafters
FATHERS DAY 2010
Issue 4
By Crafters for Crafters
Check out our
Crafters
Directory
EASTER 2010
Issue 4
By Crafters for Crafters
By Crafters for Crafters
VALENTINES 2011Issue 9
CREATIVE CRAFTING
Who likes Chocolate CakeThis is a great recipe for Easter Mothers day or any other daylets admit it we all love chocolate
Ingredients
7 oz self raising flour8 oz caster sugar1 teaspoon of salt2 tablespoons of cocoa powder4 oz margarine2 eggs beaten with5 tablespoons evaporated milk5 tablespoons water1 teaspoon vanilla essence
1 Sift together flour sugar and salt and cocoa2 Rub in margarine3 Stir in eggs essence and liquids then beat well4 Grease and flour 2 8 inch cake tins divide the mixture between them5 Bake in a moderate over 325-350 F gas mark 3 about 35 minutes6 When cold sandwich together and cover in milk chocolate icing
Milk chocolate Icing
Ingredients
2 and a half oz margarine or butter4 tablespoons cocoa8 oz sieved icing sugar3 tablespoons hot milk1 teaspoon vanilla essence
Melt the margarine or butter and blend incocoa powder then stir in icing sugar milkand vanilla essence Beat until smooth andthick
We hope you all enjoy the recipe we would love to see anypictures of chocolate cakes that you make
Instructions
Instructions
Written and reviewed by Peggyrsquos Knitshttppeggyscollectionwebscom
By Sprinkles Sparkleshttpwwwsprinklessparklescouk
All prices are correct at the time of publication
Budget amp LuxurySpring special
Woodland DaffodilsCharm Bracelet
Coco Angel Rosepound1600
Spring Flower Hair ClipFlutter2me
pound450
Spring flowers broochDi Does Craft
pound800
Pink Spring Clutchfunky diva designs
pound1750
Cupcake BuntingCotton Cottage
pound1650
Purple TulipsWildrose Ridge
pound350
Chickadees and LilacsStained Glass WindowStained Glass Addie
pound4940
The Charlotte - SageRosalind Jamespound14500
Springtime 16 Crayon RollApple n Amos
pound509
Buttercup earrings in softyellow with peridot and brass
Goblins Marketpound401
Springtime DalaFolk Horse HangingDecoration - YellowCourt and Spark
pound400
D A P H N E - BrokenChina Plate Pendant
and Sterling Silver NecklaceDesigns by Mila
pound2228
To make the leaves
Using DK yarn and 300 mm hook make 5 leaves as follows
Rnd 1 9ch dc in 2nd ch 1htr in next ch 1tr in each of next 6ch 3ch ss in base of last tr worked
Now work on opposite side of stitches by turning the work
Rnd 2 3ch 1tr in each of next 6ch 1htr in next ch dc ss in top of first stFasten off and sew in loose ends
Materials
Small quantity of DK yarn I have used a yarn with awool-mix but any DK yarn of your choice will be suitableSmall quantity of kid mohair yarn (use two strands together)300 mm hook200 mm hookOne large buttonBrooch pinSewing needle
To make the small rose
Using a 200 mm hook and working two strands of kid mohair yarn together 13ch
Rnd 1 1tr 2ch 1tr in 4th ch (skip 2ch 1tr 2ch 1tr in next ch) 3 times (4 v- spaces)
Rnd 2 3ch 6tr into next v-space 1dc into space between v-spaces Continue with 6tr into eachv-space and 1dc in between spaces until end ss into last ch Fasten off
Roll the work with fingers from start to finish to create a small rose flower and sew together at thebase
Assembling the brooch
Turn the flower so the right side is facing up and sew the button in the centre of the flowerAttach the rose to the centre of the button as shown in diagram Sew a brooch pin to the back of theflower to complete the brooch
Arrange the 5 leaves to form a circle so thecorners of the leaves are touching Sew eachcorner together to form the petals of aflower
Turn the work so the wrong side is facing upand close the hole by sewing together withthe same DK yarn used to make the leaves
Crochet Flower Brooch
ch - chain stitchdc - double crochethtr - half treble crochetss - slip stitchtr - treble crochetst - stitch
Crochet Mobile PhoneiPod Cosy
Materials
50g Dk yarn in mustard colourSmall quantity of DK yarn in bright pink for picot edgingof cosy and small roseSmall quantity of DK yarn in sage green for leaves of roseflowerSize 300mm hook
Instructions for the cosy
The cosy can be made to fit a mobile phoneiPod of your choice
Pattern note the pattern is worked in dc throughout and worked in the round using the tapestrycrochet method of crochet This involves carrying a second yarn below the first making it verystrong
Foundation row
Using one strand of DK yarn in mustard make a chain that measures the width of your mobilephoneipod
Rnd 1 dc across row until the last chain 2dc in last chain Turn work
Rnd 2 Begin to carry a second strand of mustard yarn throughouteach round and every round from now on This yarn is not worked butcarried below the first strand of yarn
Work along the opposite side of the row just worked 1dc in first ch1ch in each chain until the last chain 2dc in last chain Now mark thelast stitch just worked with a different colour yarn so you can see theend of the round and keep moving this marker up to the last stitchworked
Rnd 3 Dc in each chain around working in spirals moving the stitchmarker as the piece grows Continue until the work measures thedesired length to fit the mobileiPod Fasten off and tie in loose ends
ch - chain stitchdc - double crochethtr - half treble crochetss - slip stitchtr - treble crochetst - stitch
Instructions for rose flower
Rnd 1 Using DK yarn in bright pink 1tr 2ch 1tr in 4th ch (skip 2ch1tr 2ch 1tr in next ch) 3 times (4 v- spaces)
Rnd 2 3ch 6tr into next v-space 1dc into space between v-spacesContinue with 6tr into each v-space and 1dc in between spaces untilend ss into last ch Fasten off
Roll the work with fingers from start to finish to create a small rose flower and sew together at thebase
Instructions for leaves
Using DK yarn and 300mm hook make 2 leaves as follows
Rnd 1 5ch dc in 2nd ch 1htr in next ch 1tr in each of next 2ch 3ch ss in base of last tr workedNow work on opposite side of stitches by turning the work
Rnd 2 3ch 1tr in each of next 2 ch 1htr in next ch dc ss in top of first st Fasten off and sew inloose ends
Assembly
Sew the leaves to the reverse of the rose and attach to the cosy as shown in the picture
Picot edging
Rnd 1 Using DK yarn in bright pink dc into each stitch around the edge of the cosy opening ss tofirst dc
Rnd 2 3ch ss into 2nd chain from hook ss into base of 3ch dc into next 2ch 3ch continuefrom to ss into last ch Fasten off and sew in loose ends
Written by Andrea Lesley Crochethttpwwwfolksycomshopsandrealesleycrochet
Materials
T - shirt - colour your choiceScissorsChainSewing needle and threadCorsage or embellishments
Step 1 First get a plain whitet-shirt
Step 2 Then cut off the neck Step 3 Now sew two pieces of chain to each side of where theneckline should be
Step 4 Cut a triangle out ofthe bottom of the t-shirt
Step 5 Tie the two ends thatare left into a knot or bow
Step 6 Finally add a corsageor flower to the front
Step 7 Now you have a bang on trend crop top simply wear over a vest top I loved designing andgokking up this t-shirt it took minutes and didnt cost a lot either
Corsage made by Madam SalamihttpwwwetsycomshopMadamSalami
Written By Heidi Jackson
Favourite finds from around the crafting communityThis months focus is Easter and Spring
Click on the images to take you to their store
Online StreetMISI
Ring With A FlowerBlue Fish Handmade
pound800
Spring necklace in glassand sterling silver
RosieJo Jewellerypound1275
Easter Eggs CardNaomi Constable
pound250
FOLKSY
Easter rabbit cushionwith choccie eggs
Phoebelinas Treasurespound500
Easter Knitted BagsFluerette
pound300
Small Gorgeous FeltSpring Bouquets
Spare Minute Productionspound2000
WOW THANK YOU
Green And Brown PetalFlower Bracelet
Sprinkles Sparklespound3750 inc pampp
Handmade Pink Canvas Wall Art(Set of 3)
Craft on Canvaspound3900 inc pampp
Blue Easter ChickDharmapaintings
pound12 20 inc pampp
All prices correct at the time of publication
Favourite finds from around the crafting communityThis months focus is Easter and Spring
Click on the images to take you to their store
Best PicksUGLY BE GONE
Handpainted DottyDolly Pegs
Ticketty Boopound650
Quirky Motifs ShopperRachael Taylor
pound1500
Collette the Cow BibBaby Boutique
pound1100
The Cutie Pie - recycledpaper butterfly shadow boxThe WingSpan Collection
pound6421
Easter 1 Square PendantHappy Easter Spring Flowers
Miss Gooseberry Pendantspound321
ETSY
RETROEasterplastic springfling daisy clip-on earringsamber brown makes art
pound208ARTFIRE
Easter Egg Mini Cards 2x2 6Peculiar Parchment
pound170
Spring Chicks - Little FusedGlass Dish - Easter Gift
First Light Glasspound926
4 Chocolate Easter ParadeBunny Lollipops extra large
Candy Cottagepound741
All prices correct at the time of publication
What you will need3 x 10 inch lengths of purple Cylon cord10mm silver plated lobster clasp and clasp tag2 x silver plated fold over necklace endsApprox 24 Rose Quartz gemstone chip beads(holes need to be large enough to thread onelength of the cylon cord though)2 x 4mm silver plated jump rings
Rose Quartz is the stone of unconditionalloveIt purifies and opens the heart helping thewearer to love themselves as well as others
Rose Quartz draws off negative energy andhelps release unexpressed emotions
Encourages self forgiveness and acceptanceaids self trust and self worth
I find it easier to use a macrame board for making this type of bracelet as it make it easier tokeep the design neat but its not essential I use a simple board made from a cork notice boardand pins I also use nylon nosed pliers to fold over the necklace ends as I find metal pliers oftenleave marks but again they arent essential
Step 2 Thread a chip bead onto each of the outer lengths ofcord
Step 3 Cross the outer cordsover the middle one as youwould in a braid Then braid thecords again
Step 1 Attach one of thenecklace ends to one end ofthe three lengths of CyloncordYou can then use the hole inthe end to attach the braceletto your board
Make a Rose Quartz Bracelet
Step 6 Attach the secondnecklace end to the three cordwithout cutting them as it makesit easier The ends can then betrimmed with a craft knife orsharp scissors
Step 7 Using the jump ringsattach the clasp to one end ofthe bracelet and the clasp tagto the other
Step 4 Thread two chip beadson to the new outer lengths ofcord and braid as in the previousstep
Step 5 Repeat step three and four untilthe bracelet reaches seven inchesor your desired length
(The clasp section will measureapproximately one inch)
If the cord ends become frayed they canbe fixed with a little super glue
Step 8 And there you areOne finished rose quartzbracelet
Would you like to share a craft project with Creative Crafting
Let us know what project you would like toshare with us
Anything from jewellery knitting and crochetcrafts paper crafts or a craft you feel hasbeen forgotten about
Email thecrystalladycreative-craftingcom
Written by Elderberry Artshttpwwwelderberryartscouk
To those who are not yet aware Prince William and Kate Middleton will tie the knot this month onFriday 29th April in a quiet little ceremony at Westminster Abbey To some this may mean getting aday off to celebrate the nuptials or actually attend the whole affair To others like myself who areself-employed there will be no day off and hence little difference from a normal day but we can stillbe happy for the two love birds entering a state of marital bliss for the first timeIn these uncertain economic times I am not sure how the Royal Wedding will affect the economyhow much money will people want to spend Will this mean street parties like those that dominatemany peoplersquos memories from Prince Charles and Dianarsquos wedding back in 1981 Will there be arush to purchase ridiculously crass lsquosouvenirrsquo mugs plates tea towels or will the market just not bethere at all with all the unsold Royal Wedding goods in the pound shops by JuneThe handmade and crafting sector needs to be aware of the sales potential created by this Royalevent and so products should be made available to support the celebrations and possibly make thecountry feel good about itself again Maybe a lovely warm spring day in April will be good for thecountry and make it forget its economic woes for a few hoursWe asked a number of our sellers about their experience of the last big Royal Wedding (Charles andDiana) and what they are going to do this time to celebrate There were mixed feelings ndash manywere too young to remember much about the 1981 event and even though I remember a day offfrom school I cannot remember any street parties or spontaneous Mardi Gras This time around Ithink money will be a big factor and most people will not stray too far from a bit of home baking inred white and blue and also a show of patriotic bunting Union Jacks are quite the lsquoin thingrsquo at themoment for interior design and so a patriotic statement may double as being hip and trendy
Kim Lampard of Zigzag Bunting thinks a great way tocelebrate the Royal Wedding is to make your own buntingShe suggests pulling together a pile of fabrics that you nolonger need but that hold cherished memories for you forexample your daughterrsquos first cute dress a tea-towel youbought on a special holiday an old bedspread made by your
Granny Even if the items are damaged so cannot be passed on to others there is always a littlecorner that can be cut up into a triangle to make a bunting flag Mix a few of these together and ifyou have enough for a colour scheme (such as red white and blue) fine but donrsquot worry the flagsdonrsquot even need to be the same size Sometimes a shabby chic lsquoMix and Matchrsquo approach turns outto be perfect Sew the fabric triangles onto a piece of ribbon or bias tape and you will have awonderful string of bunting to decorate for the special day You and your family will remember notonly the Royal Wedding when you bring out that bunting but have extra glimpses of their past inthe fabrics Definitely a memento to cherish
Gaye Weekes of A amp V Designs now lives in Snowdonia North Wales and onlyan hour away from Anglesey where the Royal couple will begin their marriedlife She has no doubt had that His Highness has been hovering over theirremote valley in his helicopter over recent months Gaye plans to be flying redwhite and green Welsh bunting for the wedding Her bunting is made fromvintage fabric from the 1950s and 1960s - a cotton heavy woven greenand cream floral and a jolly red and white gingham She adds ldquo
rdquo
This article was written by
from
httpwwwwowthankyoucouk
Karine Ait-Mohamed of The Pink Fairy Cake isFrench but now lives in England She says ldquo
rdquo In the spirit of the occasion Karinehas produced a product that combines both England and France into the celebration Shehas produced sets of two Union Jack hearts filled with lavender from Chateau la Gabelle inHaute-Provence
Lisa MacDonald of LisaMollyMacDonaldis quite enthusiastic about the weddingand getting caught up in the glamour of the
occasion ldquo
rdquo
Lou Carswell of Loubie Jewels has some prettyfantastic red white and blue jewellery which wouldbe suitable for a Royal wedding celebration She told
us ldquo
rdquo
So what can we gather from these observations It will be a nice idea to celebrate the RoyalWedding If we apply a little lsquowartimersquo austerity (handmade lends itself to recycling andupcycling) we shouldnrsquot have to spend a fortune We can step back from commercialism andbe involved in a low key but meaningful way that will make the event more memorable for itssimplicity and just a little thrift God Bless William and Kate
Tell us about yourself
My name is Sandra Ritchie I live in Cleethorpes UK with my husbandJason my 10 year old daughter Alisha my 2 year old son Alfred andour dog Dumbledore Primarily I am a housewife but in my sparetime I make jewellery of all kinds from beaded pieces to metal workbut mainly I make custom-made bespoke precious metal jewellery
When did your crafting begin and why
Many years ago I studied Jewellery and Metal Art at college andover time Ive collected the tools I needed but never got round tosetting up a workroom until 2009 when my Husband pointed outthat our Utility Room would be perfect for me to set up as aworkroom to start making jewellery again It seemed ideal Ialready had people interested in me making them some jewelleryand it meant I could stay at home and look after the children as wellas try to establish a name for myself as a Jewellery designermaker
What was the first item you made to sell online
The first item I made to sell whilst not specifically to sell online was asilver octopus necklace commissioned by an acquaintance of mine thathad seen the silver octopus necklace that I made for myself whilst atcollege and wanted one like it She has since purchased the silver andcopper entwined Dragon necklace and a commissioned silver Dragonand is back on my list for another piece to be made My number onefan I think
What is your biggest crafting achievement and why
I love all the pieces Ive created especially my Custom work but myfavourite piece of all is the Greenman necklace I was approached tomake something as a surprise for someone and was basically giventhe opportunity to produce something different to my usual pieces Ilove making pieces that are based on peoples ideas of what theywant that is really special but the Greenman necklace was mydesign based on what the customer wanted it to represent I had toteach myself etching for the piece as its something Id never learntand Im really pleased with how it worked out
Other than crafting what else do you like to do
I love spending time with my children and family I love baking andcooking too and I suppose I should admit to enjoying the oddrelaxing glass (or bottle) of nice wine when the children are in bed
wwwlittlefairycultcouk
Where would you like to be in 5 years
In 5 years time Id love to be in a better financial position so I canbuy silver and make silver jewellery to sell that isnt just Custom-made Ive started sneaking a few pieces of precious metal jewellerythat are for general sale onto my site
Where does your inspiration come from
My inspiration is usually from the customers themselves They tell mewhat it is they want and I design a piece to reflect that Sometimes theyalter the design slightly to reflect more of how they want it and that isfine For my bead jewellery its usually what beads I have in myworkroom that inspire my beaded pieces I very rarely buy beads for thereason that I have a design idea and usually just buy mixed lots of beadsand work with what I have
What are your favourite materials and why
I really love working with precious metals There is somethinguniquely satisfying about taking a flat sheet of metal and turning itinto a beautiful piece of jewellery Thats why I take pictures of thepieces as I am making them so that other people and the customerwhos item it is can enjoy seeing it progress from a blank piece ofprecious metal into the finished piece
What is favourite shop online that isnrsquot yours and why
Oh my There are so many amazing websites offering beautiful andunique handmade items but I will always take a look at Etsy to see ifthere is anything that catches my eye on there They have such a largevariety of designerssellers making almost everything but the kitchen sink(though I bet if you looked hard enough youd find one on there) Ireally enjoy the little treasuries they do too where you can browse aselection of items that are grouped together by themes
Has any person helped or supported you more than any other
I have had a lot of support from the good friends I have gained on Twitter and of coursemy real life friends have been extremely supportive too but the main reason I actuallysorted out my workroom (or corner of the utility room) was due to my husband insistingthat I start making jewellery again Luckily his insistence and support paid off virtuallystraight away when a friend asked for the octopus necklace I mentioned earlier to bemade
Tell us a random fact about yourself
I have known the sex of each child and whether Id be carrying one or more before I evenconceived them Fairly random but fact nevertheless
Kit includes seed beads 5 x handmade glass beads choker wire x 3 banglewire x 2 ring wire x 3 jewellery pliers beading mat instructions
Makes 8 fabulous and individual pieces of jewellery without the need forfiddly findings books or other money-wasters
Beaded Jewellery Kitpound12Japan Crafts
A coordinating selection of beads plus step-by-step full colour instructions to make your own version of the Jungle Collar design Learn how to work peyote stitch edge it with drops and embellish it with a lush fringe and beaded flowers and leaves Let your beading imagination run wild
Each kit is hand-picked and slightly different so the beads you receive may not be the exact onesshown in the photograph but you can be certain that your necklace will be uniqueThe kit comes carefully packaged in a handy reusable storage box the only things yoursquoll need inaddition are a beading needle a spool of nylon beading thread and some sharp scissors
Beadweaving Kit for Jungle Collar
pound38Lynn Davy
Fairy Earrings Jewellery Making Kit - Ages 7yrs+
pound5Jewellery Making Kits
These single kits are fabulous for all crafty and creative girls They also make great presents for school friends nieces sisters or even grown ups Each kit includes Sterling Silver earwires or studs a small selection of flowers for the skirt a pair of wings a few coloured glass pearls for the heads silver headpin Organza Bag Full set of instructionsSuitable for ages 7 years and up Requires a pair of pliers to finish off - all instructions included
Bracelet Kit - Chunky Swarovski Pearl and Crystal with Toggle Clasp
pound750Wonderstuff Craft Kits
A little kit of bronze Swarovski pearls and Golden Shadow Swarovski crystals silk and toggle clasp
Kit includes 11 x Swarovski 12mm Pearls Colour - Soft Bronze 3 x Swarovski Crystal 8mm Rondelles - Colour - Golden Shadow 8 x Swarovski Crystal 4mmBicones Colour - Light Colorado Topaz 1 x Silver Plated Toggle Bar 1 x Silver plated Toggle RingBracelet length of threading silk Instructions
This kit contains top quality beads to make an exquisite braceletno special tools are needed
Jewellery making kits
from the small crafterWersquove found a selection of wonderful beading kits for allages and experience These are not massed producedsets but offered by the small crafter
This article was created by The Crystal Lady httpwwwmysticearthcouk
This Months
This months lsquoMan of the Monthrsquo is Ade (Adrian)EdmondsonChosen by MegampMillie
This months lsquoLady of the Monthrsquo is GwenStefaniChosen by Claire Pearcy from Elderberry Arts
httpwwwgwenstefanicom
httpwwwunrealitytvcouklets-dance-for-comic-relieflets-dance-for-comic-relief-results-ade-edmondson-and-eighties-super-group-make-next-weeks-final
(Nothing like an April Fools)
This months lsquoBlog of the Month Awardrsquo goes to lsquoItrsquos All Fiddle Fartrsquo
httpitsallfiddlefartblogspotcom
This months lsquoShop of the Month Awardrsquo goes to lsquoJulias DriftwoodFurniturersquo
httpwwwfolksycomshopsseasandview123
ww
wc
reativ
e-cr
afting
co
mw
ww
cr
eative-c
on
nec
tion
snin
gc
om
CREATIVE CRAFTING
Our next issue will be available to read on
1st June 2010If you have missed any of our issues you
can find them to read on our websitewwwcreative-craftingcom
And also on our Social Network Creative Connectionswwwcreative-connectionsningcom
To advertise in Creative Crafting or to submit an article please contact Annaat thecrystalladycreative-craftingcom
AUGUSTSUMMER 2010
Issue 5
By Crafters for Crafters
Check out our
CraftersDirectory
CREATIVE CRAFTING
By Crafters for Crafters
Issue 3
ValentinesMothers Day 2010
HandcraftedWeddingSpecial
Valentine ampMothers Day
Projects
Have youbeen
featured
By Crafters for Crafters
Issue 3ValentinesMothers Day 2010
Handcrafted
Wedding
SpecialValentine amp
Mothers Day
ProjectsHave you
been
featured
By
EASTER 2010
Issue 4
FATHERS DAY 2010
Issue 4
By Crafters for Crafters
Ch
eck out our
Craft
ersDirectory
AUGUSTSUMMER 2
010
Issu
e 5
By Craf
ters fo
r Craf
ters
Chec
k out our
Crafters
Directory
CREATIVE
C
RAFTINGAU
TUM
N H
ALLO
WEE
N 201
0Is
sue
7
CREA
TIVE
CRAF
TIN
G
By Craf
ters f
or C
rafter
s
Chec
k
out our
Craft
ersDirect
ory
An
niv
ersa
ry
Issu
e
Donrsquot forget
All of our links andadverts are fullyclickable
If you would like to embed our magazine into your website blog myspace page etc you can
customise the code to suit your style and size
AUTUMN HALLOWEEN 2010
Issue 7CREATIVE CRAFTING
By Crafters for Crafters
Check out our
CraftersDirectory
Anniversary
Issue
CHRISTMAS 2010
Issue 8
By Crafters for Crafters
FATHERS DAY 2010
Issue 4
By Crafters for Crafters
Check out our
Crafters
Directory
EASTER 2010
Issue 4
By Crafters for Crafters
By Crafters for Crafters
VALENTINES 2011Issue 9
CREATIVE CRAFTING
By Sprinkles Sparkleshttpwwwsprinklessparklescouk
All prices are correct at the time of publication
Budget amp LuxurySpring special
Woodland DaffodilsCharm Bracelet
Coco Angel Rosepound1600
Spring Flower Hair ClipFlutter2me
pound450
Spring flowers broochDi Does Craft
pound800
Pink Spring Clutchfunky diva designs
pound1750
Cupcake BuntingCotton Cottage
pound1650
Purple TulipsWildrose Ridge
pound350
Chickadees and LilacsStained Glass WindowStained Glass Addie
pound4940
The Charlotte - SageRosalind Jamespound14500
Springtime 16 Crayon RollApple n Amos
pound509
Buttercup earrings in softyellow with peridot and brass
Goblins Marketpound401
Springtime DalaFolk Horse HangingDecoration - YellowCourt and Spark
pound400
D A P H N E - BrokenChina Plate Pendant
and Sterling Silver NecklaceDesigns by Mila
pound2228
To make the leaves
Using DK yarn and 300 mm hook make 5 leaves as follows
Rnd 1 9ch dc in 2nd ch 1htr in next ch 1tr in each of next 6ch 3ch ss in base of last tr worked
Now work on opposite side of stitches by turning the work
Rnd 2 3ch 1tr in each of next 6ch 1htr in next ch dc ss in top of first stFasten off and sew in loose ends
Materials
Small quantity of DK yarn I have used a yarn with awool-mix but any DK yarn of your choice will be suitableSmall quantity of kid mohair yarn (use two strands together)300 mm hook200 mm hookOne large buttonBrooch pinSewing needle
To make the small rose
Using a 200 mm hook and working two strands of kid mohair yarn together 13ch
Rnd 1 1tr 2ch 1tr in 4th ch (skip 2ch 1tr 2ch 1tr in next ch) 3 times (4 v- spaces)
Rnd 2 3ch 6tr into next v-space 1dc into space between v-spaces Continue with 6tr into eachv-space and 1dc in between spaces until end ss into last ch Fasten off
Roll the work with fingers from start to finish to create a small rose flower and sew together at thebase
Assembling the brooch
Turn the flower so the right side is facing up and sew the button in the centre of the flowerAttach the rose to the centre of the button as shown in diagram Sew a brooch pin to the back of theflower to complete the brooch
Arrange the 5 leaves to form a circle so thecorners of the leaves are touching Sew eachcorner together to form the petals of aflower
Turn the work so the wrong side is facing upand close the hole by sewing together withthe same DK yarn used to make the leaves
Crochet Flower Brooch
ch - chain stitchdc - double crochethtr - half treble crochetss - slip stitchtr - treble crochetst - stitch
Crochet Mobile PhoneiPod Cosy
Materials
50g Dk yarn in mustard colourSmall quantity of DK yarn in bright pink for picot edgingof cosy and small roseSmall quantity of DK yarn in sage green for leaves of roseflowerSize 300mm hook
Instructions for the cosy
The cosy can be made to fit a mobile phoneiPod of your choice
Pattern note the pattern is worked in dc throughout and worked in the round using the tapestrycrochet method of crochet This involves carrying a second yarn below the first making it verystrong
Foundation row
Using one strand of DK yarn in mustard make a chain that measures the width of your mobilephoneipod
Rnd 1 dc across row until the last chain 2dc in last chain Turn work
Rnd 2 Begin to carry a second strand of mustard yarn throughouteach round and every round from now on This yarn is not worked butcarried below the first strand of yarn
Work along the opposite side of the row just worked 1dc in first ch1ch in each chain until the last chain 2dc in last chain Now mark thelast stitch just worked with a different colour yarn so you can see theend of the round and keep moving this marker up to the last stitchworked
Rnd 3 Dc in each chain around working in spirals moving the stitchmarker as the piece grows Continue until the work measures thedesired length to fit the mobileiPod Fasten off and tie in loose ends
ch - chain stitchdc - double crochethtr - half treble crochetss - slip stitchtr - treble crochetst - stitch
Instructions for rose flower
Rnd 1 Using DK yarn in bright pink 1tr 2ch 1tr in 4th ch (skip 2ch1tr 2ch 1tr in next ch) 3 times (4 v- spaces)
Rnd 2 3ch 6tr into next v-space 1dc into space between v-spacesContinue with 6tr into each v-space and 1dc in between spaces untilend ss into last ch Fasten off
Roll the work with fingers from start to finish to create a small rose flower and sew together at thebase
Instructions for leaves
Using DK yarn and 300mm hook make 2 leaves as follows
Rnd 1 5ch dc in 2nd ch 1htr in next ch 1tr in each of next 2ch 3ch ss in base of last tr workedNow work on opposite side of stitches by turning the work
Rnd 2 3ch 1tr in each of next 2 ch 1htr in next ch dc ss in top of first st Fasten off and sew inloose ends
Assembly
Sew the leaves to the reverse of the rose and attach to the cosy as shown in the picture
Picot edging
Rnd 1 Using DK yarn in bright pink dc into each stitch around the edge of the cosy opening ss tofirst dc
Rnd 2 3ch ss into 2nd chain from hook ss into base of 3ch dc into next 2ch 3ch continuefrom to ss into last ch Fasten off and sew in loose ends
Written by Andrea Lesley Crochethttpwwwfolksycomshopsandrealesleycrochet
Materials
T - shirt - colour your choiceScissorsChainSewing needle and threadCorsage or embellishments
Step 1 First get a plain whitet-shirt
Step 2 Then cut off the neck Step 3 Now sew two pieces of chain to each side of where theneckline should be
Step 4 Cut a triangle out ofthe bottom of the t-shirt
Step 5 Tie the two ends thatare left into a knot or bow
Step 6 Finally add a corsageor flower to the front
Step 7 Now you have a bang on trend crop top simply wear over a vest top I loved designing andgokking up this t-shirt it took minutes and didnt cost a lot either
Corsage made by Madam SalamihttpwwwetsycomshopMadamSalami
Written By Heidi Jackson
Favourite finds from around the crafting communityThis months focus is Easter and Spring
Click on the images to take you to their store
Online StreetMISI
Ring With A FlowerBlue Fish Handmade
pound800
Spring necklace in glassand sterling silver
RosieJo Jewellerypound1275
Easter Eggs CardNaomi Constable
pound250
FOLKSY
Easter rabbit cushionwith choccie eggs
Phoebelinas Treasurespound500
Easter Knitted BagsFluerette
pound300
Small Gorgeous FeltSpring Bouquets
Spare Minute Productionspound2000
WOW THANK YOU
Green And Brown PetalFlower Bracelet
Sprinkles Sparklespound3750 inc pampp
Handmade Pink Canvas Wall Art(Set of 3)
Craft on Canvaspound3900 inc pampp
Blue Easter ChickDharmapaintings
pound12 20 inc pampp
All prices correct at the time of publication
Favourite finds from around the crafting communityThis months focus is Easter and Spring
Click on the images to take you to their store
Best PicksUGLY BE GONE
Handpainted DottyDolly Pegs
Ticketty Boopound650
Quirky Motifs ShopperRachael Taylor
pound1500
Collette the Cow BibBaby Boutique
pound1100
The Cutie Pie - recycledpaper butterfly shadow boxThe WingSpan Collection
pound6421
Easter 1 Square PendantHappy Easter Spring Flowers
Miss Gooseberry Pendantspound321
ETSY
RETROEasterplastic springfling daisy clip-on earringsamber brown makes art
pound208ARTFIRE
Easter Egg Mini Cards 2x2 6Peculiar Parchment
pound170
Spring Chicks - Little FusedGlass Dish - Easter Gift
First Light Glasspound926
4 Chocolate Easter ParadeBunny Lollipops extra large
Candy Cottagepound741
All prices correct at the time of publication
What you will need3 x 10 inch lengths of purple Cylon cord10mm silver plated lobster clasp and clasp tag2 x silver plated fold over necklace endsApprox 24 Rose Quartz gemstone chip beads(holes need to be large enough to thread onelength of the cylon cord though)2 x 4mm silver plated jump rings
Rose Quartz is the stone of unconditionalloveIt purifies and opens the heart helping thewearer to love themselves as well as others
Rose Quartz draws off negative energy andhelps release unexpressed emotions
Encourages self forgiveness and acceptanceaids self trust and self worth
I find it easier to use a macrame board for making this type of bracelet as it make it easier tokeep the design neat but its not essential I use a simple board made from a cork notice boardand pins I also use nylon nosed pliers to fold over the necklace ends as I find metal pliers oftenleave marks but again they arent essential
Step 2 Thread a chip bead onto each of the outer lengths ofcord
Step 3 Cross the outer cordsover the middle one as youwould in a braid Then braid thecords again
Step 1 Attach one of thenecklace ends to one end ofthe three lengths of CyloncordYou can then use the hole inthe end to attach the braceletto your board
Make a Rose Quartz Bracelet
Step 6 Attach the secondnecklace end to the three cordwithout cutting them as it makesit easier The ends can then betrimmed with a craft knife orsharp scissors
Step 7 Using the jump ringsattach the clasp to one end ofthe bracelet and the clasp tagto the other
Step 4 Thread two chip beadson to the new outer lengths ofcord and braid as in the previousstep
Step 5 Repeat step three and four untilthe bracelet reaches seven inchesor your desired length
(The clasp section will measureapproximately one inch)
If the cord ends become frayed they canbe fixed with a little super glue
Step 8 And there you areOne finished rose quartzbracelet
Would you like to share a craft project with Creative Crafting
Let us know what project you would like toshare with us
Anything from jewellery knitting and crochetcrafts paper crafts or a craft you feel hasbeen forgotten about
Email thecrystalladycreative-craftingcom
Written by Elderberry Artshttpwwwelderberryartscouk
To those who are not yet aware Prince William and Kate Middleton will tie the knot this month onFriday 29th April in a quiet little ceremony at Westminster Abbey To some this may mean getting aday off to celebrate the nuptials or actually attend the whole affair To others like myself who areself-employed there will be no day off and hence little difference from a normal day but we can stillbe happy for the two love birds entering a state of marital bliss for the first timeIn these uncertain economic times I am not sure how the Royal Wedding will affect the economyhow much money will people want to spend Will this mean street parties like those that dominatemany peoplersquos memories from Prince Charles and Dianarsquos wedding back in 1981 Will there be arush to purchase ridiculously crass lsquosouvenirrsquo mugs plates tea towels or will the market just not bethere at all with all the unsold Royal Wedding goods in the pound shops by JuneThe handmade and crafting sector needs to be aware of the sales potential created by this Royalevent and so products should be made available to support the celebrations and possibly make thecountry feel good about itself again Maybe a lovely warm spring day in April will be good for thecountry and make it forget its economic woes for a few hoursWe asked a number of our sellers about their experience of the last big Royal Wedding (Charles andDiana) and what they are going to do this time to celebrate There were mixed feelings ndash manywere too young to remember much about the 1981 event and even though I remember a day offfrom school I cannot remember any street parties or spontaneous Mardi Gras This time around Ithink money will be a big factor and most people will not stray too far from a bit of home baking inred white and blue and also a show of patriotic bunting Union Jacks are quite the lsquoin thingrsquo at themoment for interior design and so a patriotic statement may double as being hip and trendy
Kim Lampard of Zigzag Bunting thinks a great way tocelebrate the Royal Wedding is to make your own buntingShe suggests pulling together a pile of fabrics that you nolonger need but that hold cherished memories for you forexample your daughterrsquos first cute dress a tea-towel youbought on a special holiday an old bedspread made by your
Granny Even if the items are damaged so cannot be passed on to others there is always a littlecorner that can be cut up into a triangle to make a bunting flag Mix a few of these together and ifyou have enough for a colour scheme (such as red white and blue) fine but donrsquot worry the flagsdonrsquot even need to be the same size Sometimes a shabby chic lsquoMix and Matchrsquo approach turns outto be perfect Sew the fabric triangles onto a piece of ribbon or bias tape and you will have awonderful string of bunting to decorate for the special day You and your family will remember notonly the Royal Wedding when you bring out that bunting but have extra glimpses of their past inthe fabrics Definitely a memento to cherish
Gaye Weekes of A amp V Designs now lives in Snowdonia North Wales and onlyan hour away from Anglesey where the Royal couple will begin their marriedlife She has no doubt had that His Highness has been hovering over theirremote valley in his helicopter over recent months Gaye plans to be flying redwhite and green Welsh bunting for the wedding Her bunting is made fromvintage fabric from the 1950s and 1960s - a cotton heavy woven greenand cream floral and a jolly red and white gingham She adds ldquo
rdquo
This article was written by
from
httpwwwwowthankyoucouk
Karine Ait-Mohamed of The Pink Fairy Cake isFrench but now lives in England She says ldquo
rdquo In the spirit of the occasion Karinehas produced a product that combines both England and France into the celebration Shehas produced sets of two Union Jack hearts filled with lavender from Chateau la Gabelle inHaute-Provence
Lisa MacDonald of LisaMollyMacDonaldis quite enthusiastic about the weddingand getting caught up in the glamour of the
occasion ldquo
rdquo
Lou Carswell of Loubie Jewels has some prettyfantastic red white and blue jewellery which wouldbe suitable for a Royal wedding celebration She told
us ldquo
rdquo
So what can we gather from these observations It will be a nice idea to celebrate the RoyalWedding If we apply a little lsquowartimersquo austerity (handmade lends itself to recycling andupcycling) we shouldnrsquot have to spend a fortune We can step back from commercialism andbe involved in a low key but meaningful way that will make the event more memorable for itssimplicity and just a little thrift God Bless William and Kate
Tell us about yourself
My name is Sandra Ritchie I live in Cleethorpes UK with my husbandJason my 10 year old daughter Alisha my 2 year old son Alfred andour dog Dumbledore Primarily I am a housewife but in my sparetime I make jewellery of all kinds from beaded pieces to metal workbut mainly I make custom-made bespoke precious metal jewellery
When did your crafting begin and why
Many years ago I studied Jewellery and Metal Art at college andover time Ive collected the tools I needed but never got round tosetting up a workroom until 2009 when my Husband pointed outthat our Utility Room would be perfect for me to set up as aworkroom to start making jewellery again It seemed ideal Ialready had people interested in me making them some jewelleryand it meant I could stay at home and look after the children as wellas try to establish a name for myself as a Jewellery designermaker
What was the first item you made to sell online
The first item I made to sell whilst not specifically to sell online was asilver octopus necklace commissioned by an acquaintance of mine thathad seen the silver octopus necklace that I made for myself whilst atcollege and wanted one like it She has since purchased the silver andcopper entwined Dragon necklace and a commissioned silver Dragonand is back on my list for another piece to be made My number onefan I think
What is your biggest crafting achievement and why
I love all the pieces Ive created especially my Custom work but myfavourite piece of all is the Greenman necklace I was approached tomake something as a surprise for someone and was basically giventhe opportunity to produce something different to my usual pieces Ilove making pieces that are based on peoples ideas of what theywant that is really special but the Greenman necklace was mydesign based on what the customer wanted it to represent I had toteach myself etching for the piece as its something Id never learntand Im really pleased with how it worked out
Other than crafting what else do you like to do
I love spending time with my children and family I love baking andcooking too and I suppose I should admit to enjoying the oddrelaxing glass (or bottle) of nice wine when the children are in bed
wwwlittlefairycultcouk
Where would you like to be in 5 years
In 5 years time Id love to be in a better financial position so I canbuy silver and make silver jewellery to sell that isnt just Custom-made Ive started sneaking a few pieces of precious metal jewellerythat are for general sale onto my site
Where does your inspiration come from
My inspiration is usually from the customers themselves They tell mewhat it is they want and I design a piece to reflect that Sometimes theyalter the design slightly to reflect more of how they want it and that isfine For my bead jewellery its usually what beads I have in myworkroom that inspire my beaded pieces I very rarely buy beads for thereason that I have a design idea and usually just buy mixed lots of beadsand work with what I have
What are your favourite materials and why
I really love working with precious metals There is somethinguniquely satisfying about taking a flat sheet of metal and turning itinto a beautiful piece of jewellery Thats why I take pictures of thepieces as I am making them so that other people and the customerwhos item it is can enjoy seeing it progress from a blank piece ofprecious metal into the finished piece
What is favourite shop online that isnrsquot yours and why
Oh my There are so many amazing websites offering beautiful andunique handmade items but I will always take a look at Etsy to see ifthere is anything that catches my eye on there They have such a largevariety of designerssellers making almost everything but the kitchen sink(though I bet if you looked hard enough youd find one on there) Ireally enjoy the little treasuries they do too where you can browse aselection of items that are grouped together by themes
Has any person helped or supported you more than any other
I have had a lot of support from the good friends I have gained on Twitter and of coursemy real life friends have been extremely supportive too but the main reason I actuallysorted out my workroom (or corner of the utility room) was due to my husband insistingthat I start making jewellery again Luckily his insistence and support paid off virtuallystraight away when a friend asked for the octopus necklace I mentioned earlier to bemade
Tell us a random fact about yourself
I have known the sex of each child and whether Id be carrying one or more before I evenconceived them Fairly random but fact nevertheless
Kit includes seed beads 5 x handmade glass beads choker wire x 3 banglewire x 2 ring wire x 3 jewellery pliers beading mat instructions
Makes 8 fabulous and individual pieces of jewellery without the need forfiddly findings books or other money-wasters
Beaded Jewellery Kitpound12Japan Crafts
A coordinating selection of beads plus step-by-step full colour instructions to make your own version of the Jungle Collar design Learn how to work peyote stitch edge it with drops and embellish it with a lush fringe and beaded flowers and leaves Let your beading imagination run wild
Each kit is hand-picked and slightly different so the beads you receive may not be the exact onesshown in the photograph but you can be certain that your necklace will be uniqueThe kit comes carefully packaged in a handy reusable storage box the only things yoursquoll need inaddition are a beading needle a spool of nylon beading thread and some sharp scissors
Beadweaving Kit for Jungle Collar
pound38Lynn Davy
Fairy Earrings Jewellery Making Kit - Ages 7yrs+
pound5Jewellery Making Kits
These single kits are fabulous for all crafty and creative girls They also make great presents for school friends nieces sisters or even grown ups Each kit includes Sterling Silver earwires or studs a small selection of flowers for the skirt a pair of wings a few coloured glass pearls for the heads silver headpin Organza Bag Full set of instructionsSuitable for ages 7 years and up Requires a pair of pliers to finish off - all instructions included
Bracelet Kit - Chunky Swarovski Pearl and Crystal with Toggle Clasp
pound750Wonderstuff Craft Kits
A little kit of bronze Swarovski pearls and Golden Shadow Swarovski crystals silk and toggle clasp
Kit includes 11 x Swarovski 12mm Pearls Colour - Soft Bronze 3 x Swarovski Crystal 8mm Rondelles - Colour - Golden Shadow 8 x Swarovski Crystal 4mmBicones Colour - Light Colorado Topaz 1 x Silver Plated Toggle Bar 1 x Silver plated Toggle RingBracelet length of threading silk Instructions
This kit contains top quality beads to make an exquisite braceletno special tools are needed
Jewellery making kits
from the small crafterWersquove found a selection of wonderful beading kits for allages and experience These are not massed producedsets but offered by the small crafter
This article was created by The Crystal Lady httpwwwmysticearthcouk
This Months
This months lsquoMan of the Monthrsquo is Ade (Adrian)EdmondsonChosen by MegampMillie
This months lsquoLady of the Monthrsquo is GwenStefaniChosen by Claire Pearcy from Elderberry Arts
httpwwwgwenstefanicom
httpwwwunrealitytvcouklets-dance-for-comic-relieflets-dance-for-comic-relief-results-ade-edmondson-and-eighties-super-group-make-next-weeks-final
(Nothing like an April Fools)
This months lsquoBlog of the Month Awardrsquo goes to lsquoItrsquos All Fiddle Fartrsquo
httpitsallfiddlefartblogspotcom
This months lsquoShop of the Month Awardrsquo goes to lsquoJulias DriftwoodFurniturersquo
httpwwwfolksycomshopsseasandview123
ww
wc
reativ
e-cr
afting
co
mw
ww
cr
eative-c
on
nec
tion
snin
gc
om
CREATIVE CRAFTING
Our next issue will be available to read on
1st June 2010If you have missed any of our issues you
can find them to read on our websitewwwcreative-craftingcom
And also on our Social Network Creative Connectionswwwcreative-connectionsningcom
To advertise in Creative Crafting or to submit an article please contact Annaat thecrystalladycreative-craftingcom
AUGUSTSUMMER 2010
Issue 5
By Crafters for Crafters
Check out our
CraftersDirectory
CREATIVE CRAFTING
By Crafters for Crafters
Issue 3
ValentinesMothers Day 2010
HandcraftedWeddingSpecial
Valentine ampMothers Day
Projects
Have youbeen
featured
By Crafters for Crafters
Issue 3ValentinesMothers Day 2010
Handcrafted
Wedding
SpecialValentine amp
Mothers Day
ProjectsHave you
been
featured
By
EASTER 2010
Issue 4
FATHERS DAY 2010
Issue 4
By Crafters for Crafters
Ch
eck out our
Craft
ersDirectory
AUGUSTSUMMER 2
010
Issu
e 5
By Craf
ters fo
r Craf
ters
Chec
k out our
Crafters
Directory
CREATIVE
C
RAFTINGAU
TUM
N H
ALLO
WEE
N 201
0Is
sue
7
CREA
TIVE
CRAF
TIN
G
By Craf
ters f
or C
rafter
s
Chec
k
out our
Craft
ersDirect
ory
An
niv
ersa
ry
Issu
e
Donrsquot forget
All of our links andadverts are fullyclickable
If you would like to embed our magazine into your website blog myspace page etc you can
customise the code to suit your style and size
AUTUMN HALLOWEEN 2010
Issue 7CREATIVE CRAFTING
By Crafters for Crafters
Check out our
CraftersDirectory
Anniversary
Issue
CHRISTMAS 2010
Issue 8
By Crafters for Crafters
FATHERS DAY 2010
Issue 4
By Crafters for Crafters
Check out our
Crafters
Directory
EASTER 2010
Issue 4
By Crafters for Crafters
By Crafters for Crafters
VALENTINES 2011Issue 9
CREATIVE CRAFTING
To make the leaves
Using DK yarn and 300 mm hook make 5 leaves as follows
Rnd 1 9ch dc in 2nd ch 1htr in next ch 1tr in each of next 6ch 3ch ss in base of last tr worked
Now work on opposite side of stitches by turning the work
Rnd 2 3ch 1tr in each of next 6ch 1htr in next ch dc ss in top of first stFasten off and sew in loose ends
Materials
Small quantity of DK yarn I have used a yarn with awool-mix but any DK yarn of your choice will be suitableSmall quantity of kid mohair yarn (use two strands together)300 mm hook200 mm hookOne large buttonBrooch pinSewing needle
To make the small rose
Using a 200 mm hook and working two strands of kid mohair yarn together 13ch
Rnd 1 1tr 2ch 1tr in 4th ch (skip 2ch 1tr 2ch 1tr in next ch) 3 times (4 v- spaces)
Rnd 2 3ch 6tr into next v-space 1dc into space between v-spaces Continue with 6tr into eachv-space and 1dc in between spaces until end ss into last ch Fasten off
Roll the work with fingers from start to finish to create a small rose flower and sew together at thebase
Assembling the brooch
Turn the flower so the right side is facing up and sew the button in the centre of the flowerAttach the rose to the centre of the button as shown in diagram Sew a brooch pin to the back of theflower to complete the brooch
Arrange the 5 leaves to form a circle so thecorners of the leaves are touching Sew eachcorner together to form the petals of aflower
Turn the work so the wrong side is facing upand close the hole by sewing together withthe same DK yarn used to make the leaves
Crochet Flower Brooch
ch - chain stitchdc - double crochethtr - half treble crochetss - slip stitchtr - treble crochetst - stitch
Crochet Mobile PhoneiPod Cosy
Materials
50g Dk yarn in mustard colourSmall quantity of DK yarn in bright pink for picot edgingof cosy and small roseSmall quantity of DK yarn in sage green for leaves of roseflowerSize 300mm hook
Instructions for the cosy
The cosy can be made to fit a mobile phoneiPod of your choice
Pattern note the pattern is worked in dc throughout and worked in the round using the tapestrycrochet method of crochet This involves carrying a second yarn below the first making it verystrong
Foundation row
Using one strand of DK yarn in mustard make a chain that measures the width of your mobilephoneipod
Rnd 1 dc across row until the last chain 2dc in last chain Turn work
Rnd 2 Begin to carry a second strand of mustard yarn throughouteach round and every round from now on This yarn is not worked butcarried below the first strand of yarn
Work along the opposite side of the row just worked 1dc in first ch1ch in each chain until the last chain 2dc in last chain Now mark thelast stitch just worked with a different colour yarn so you can see theend of the round and keep moving this marker up to the last stitchworked
Rnd 3 Dc in each chain around working in spirals moving the stitchmarker as the piece grows Continue until the work measures thedesired length to fit the mobileiPod Fasten off and tie in loose ends
ch - chain stitchdc - double crochethtr - half treble crochetss - slip stitchtr - treble crochetst - stitch
Instructions for rose flower
Rnd 1 Using DK yarn in bright pink 1tr 2ch 1tr in 4th ch (skip 2ch1tr 2ch 1tr in next ch) 3 times (4 v- spaces)
Rnd 2 3ch 6tr into next v-space 1dc into space between v-spacesContinue with 6tr into each v-space and 1dc in between spaces untilend ss into last ch Fasten off
Roll the work with fingers from start to finish to create a small rose flower and sew together at thebase
Instructions for leaves
Using DK yarn and 300mm hook make 2 leaves as follows
Rnd 1 5ch dc in 2nd ch 1htr in next ch 1tr in each of next 2ch 3ch ss in base of last tr workedNow work on opposite side of stitches by turning the work
Rnd 2 3ch 1tr in each of next 2 ch 1htr in next ch dc ss in top of first st Fasten off and sew inloose ends
Assembly
Sew the leaves to the reverse of the rose and attach to the cosy as shown in the picture
Picot edging
Rnd 1 Using DK yarn in bright pink dc into each stitch around the edge of the cosy opening ss tofirst dc
Rnd 2 3ch ss into 2nd chain from hook ss into base of 3ch dc into next 2ch 3ch continuefrom to ss into last ch Fasten off and sew in loose ends
Written by Andrea Lesley Crochethttpwwwfolksycomshopsandrealesleycrochet
Materials
T - shirt - colour your choiceScissorsChainSewing needle and threadCorsage or embellishments
Step 1 First get a plain whitet-shirt
Step 2 Then cut off the neck Step 3 Now sew two pieces of chain to each side of where theneckline should be
Step 4 Cut a triangle out ofthe bottom of the t-shirt
Step 5 Tie the two ends thatare left into a knot or bow
Step 6 Finally add a corsageor flower to the front
Step 7 Now you have a bang on trend crop top simply wear over a vest top I loved designing andgokking up this t-shirt it took minutes and didnt cost a lot either
Corsage made by Madam SalamihttpwwwetsycomshopMadamSalami
Written By Heidi Jackson
Favourite finds from around the crafting communityThis months focus is Easter and Spring
Click on the images to take you to their store
Online StreetMISI
Ring With A FlowerBlue Fish Handmade
pound800
Spring necklace in glassand sterling silver
RosieJo Jewellerypound1275
Easter Eggs CardNaomi Constable
pound250
FOLKSY
Easter rabbit cushionwith choccie eggs
Phoebelinas Treasurespound500
Easter Knitted BagsFluerette
pound300
Small Gorgeous FeltSpring Bouquets
Spare Minute Productionspound2000
WOW THANK YOU
Green And Brown PetalFlower Bracelet
Sprinkles Sparklespound3750 inc pampp
Handmade Pink Canvas Wall Art(Set of 3)
Craft on Canvaspound3900 inc pampp
Blue Easter ChickDharmapaintings
pound12 20 inc pampp
All prices correct at the time of publication
Favourite finds from around the crafting communityThis months focus is Easter and Spring
Click on the images to take you to their store
Best PicksUGLY BE GONE
Handpainted DottyDolly Pegs
Ticketty Boopound650
Quirky Motifs ShopperRachael Taylor
pound1500
Collette the Cow BibBaby Boutique
pound1100
The Cutie Pie - recycledpaper butterfly shadow boxThe WingSpan Collection
pound6421
Easter 1 Square PendantHappy Easter Spring Flowers
Miss Gooseberry Pendantspound321
ETSY
RETROEasterplastic springfling daisy clip-on earringsamber brown makes art
pound208ARTFIRE
Easter Egg Mini Cards 2x2 6Peculiar Parchment
pound170
Spring Chicks - Little FusedGlass Dish - Easter Gift
First Light Glasspound926
4 Chocolate Easter ParadeBunny Lollipops extra large
Candy Cottagepound741
All prices correct at the time of publication
What you will need3 x 10 inch lengths of purple Cylon cord10mm silver plated lobster clasp and clasp tag2 x silver plated fold over necklace endsApprox 24 Rose Quartz gemstone chip beads(holes need to be large enough to thread onelength of the cylon cord though)2 x 4mm silver plated jump rings
Rose Quartz is the stone of unconditionalloveIt purifies and opens the heart helping thewearer to love themselves as well as others
Rose Quartz draws off negative energy andhelps release unexpressed emotions
Encourages self forgiveness and acceptanceaids self trust and self worth
I find it easier to use a macrame board for making this type of bracelet as it make it easier tokeep the design neat but its not essential I use a simple board made from a cork notice boardand pins I also use nylon nosed pliers to fold over the necklace ends as I find metal pliers oftenleave marks but again they arent essential
Step 2 Thread a chip bead onto each of the outer lengths ofcord
Step 3 Cross the outer cordsover the middle one as youwould in a braid Then braid thecords again
Step 1 Attach one of thenecklace ends to one end ofthe three lengths of CyloncordYou can then use the hole inthe end to attach the braceletto your board
Make a Rose Quartz Bracelet
Step 6 Attach the secondnecklace end to the three cordwithout cutting them as it makesit easier The ends can then betrimmed with a craft knife orsharp scissors
Step 7 Using the jump ringsattach the clasp to one end ofthe bracelet and the clasp tagto the other
Step 4 Thread two chip beadson to the new outer lengths ofcord and braid as in the previousstep
Step 5 Repeat step three and four untilthe bracelet reaches seven inchesor your desired length
(The clasp section will measureapproximately one inch)
If the cord ends become frayed they canbe fixed with a little super glue
Step 8 And there you areOne finished rose quartzbracelet
Would you like to share a craft project with Creative Crafting
Let us know what project you would like toshare with us
Anything from jewellery knitting and crochetcrafts paper crafts or a craft you feel hasbeen forgotten about
Email thecrystalladycreative-craftingcom
Written by Elderberry Artshttpwwwelderberryartscouk
To those who are not yet aware Prince William and Kate Middleton will tie the knot this month onFriday 29th April in a quiet little ceremony at Westminster Abbey To some this may mean getting aday off to celebrate the nuptials or actually attend the whole affair To others like myself who areself-employed there will be no day off and hence little difference from a normal day but we can stillbe happy for the two love birds entering a state of marital bliss for the first timeIn these uncertain economic times I am not sure how the Royal Wedding will affect the economyhow much money will people want to spend Will this mean street parties like those that dominatemany peoplersquos memories from Prince Charles and Dianarsquos wedding back in 1981 Will there be arush to purchase ridiculously crass lsquosouvenirrsquo mugs plates tea towels or will the market just not bethere at all with all the unsold Royal Wedding goods in the pound shops by JuneThe handmade and crafting sector needs to be aware of the sales potential created by this Royalevent and so products should be made available to support the celebrations and possibly make thecountry feel good about itself again Maybe a lovely warm spring day in April will be good for thecountry and make it forget its economic woes for a few hoursWe asked a number of our sellers about their experience of the last big Royal Wedding (Charles andDiana) and what they are going to do this time to celebrate There were mixed feelings ndash manywere too young to remember much about the 1981 event and even though I remember a day offfrom school I cannot remember any street parties or spontaneous Mardi Gras This time around Ithink money will be a big factor and most people will not stray too far from a bit of home baking inred white and blue and also a show of patriotic bunting Union Jacks are quite the lsquoin thingrsquo at themoment for interior design and so a patriotic statement may double as being hip and trendy
Kim Lampard of Zigzag Bunting thinks a great way tocelebrate the Royal Wedding is to make your own buntingShe suggests pulling together a pile of fabrics that you nolonger need but that hold cherished memories for you forexample your daughterrsquos first cute dress a tea-towel youbought on a special holiday an old bedspread made by your
Granny Even if the items are damaged so cannot be passed on to others there is always a littlecorner that can be cut up into a triangle to make a bunting flag Mix a few of these together and ifyou have enough for a colour scheme (such as red white and blue) fine but donrsquot worry the flagsdonrsquot even need to be the same size Sometimes a shabby chic lsquoMix and Matchrsquo approach turns outto be perfect Sew the fabric triangles onto a piece of ribbon or bias tape and you will have awonderful string of bunting to decorate for the special day You and your family will remember notonly the Royal Wedding when you bring out that bunting but have extra glimpses of their past inthe fabrics Definitely a memento to cherish
Gaye Weekes of A amp V Designs now lives in Snowdonia North Wales and onlyan hour away from Anglesey where the Royal couple will begin their marriedlife She has no doubt had that His Highness has been hovering over theirremote valley in his helicopter over recent months Gaye plans to be flying redwhite and green Welsh bunting for the wedding Her bunting is made fromvintage fabric from the 1950s and 1960s - a cotton heavy woven greenand cream floral and a jolly red and white gingham She adds ldquo
rdquo
This article was written by
from
httpwwwwowthankyoucouk
Karine Ait-Mohamed of The Pink Fairy Cake isFrench but now lives in England She says ldquo
rdquo In the spirit of the occasion Karinehas produced a product that combines both England and France into the celebration Shehas produced sets of two Union Jack hearts filled with lavender from Chateau la Gabelle inHaute-Provence
Lisa MacDonald of LisaMollyMacDonaldis quite enthusiastic about the weddingand getting caught up in the glamour of the
occasion ldquo
rdquo
Lou Carswell of Loubie Jewels has some prettyfantastic red white and blue jewellery which wouldbe suitable for a Royal wedding celebration She told
us ldquo
rdquo
So what can we gather from these observations It will be a nice idea to celebrate the RoyalWedding If we apply a little lsquowartimersquo austerity (handmade lends itself to recycling andupcycling) we shouldnrsquot have to spend a fortune We can step back from commercialism andbe involved in a low key but meaningful way that will make the event more memorable for itssimplicity and just a little thrift God Bless William and Kate
Tell us about yourself
My name is Sandra Ritchie I live in Cleethorpes UK with my husbandJason my 10 year old daughter Alisha my 2 year old son Alfred andour dog Dumbledore Primarily I am a housewife but in my sparetime I make jewellery of all kinds from beaded pieces to metal workbut mainly I make custom-made bespoke precious metal jewellery
When did your crafting begin and why
Many years ago I studied Jewellery and Metal Art at college andover time Ive collected the tools I needed but never got round tosetting up a workroom until 2009 when my Husband pointed outthat our Utility Room would be perfect for me to set up as aworkroom to start making jewellery again It seemed ideal Ialready had people interested in me making them some jewelleryand it meant I could stay at home and look after the children as wellas try to establish a name for myself as a Jewellery designermaker
What was the first item you made to sell online
The first item I made to sell whilst not specifically to sell online was asilver octopus necklace commissioned by an acquaintance of mine thathad seen the silver octopus necklace that I made for myself whilst atcollege and wanted one like it She has since purchased the silver andcopper entwined Dragon necklace and a commissioned silver Dragonand is back on my list for another piece to be made My number onefan I think
What is your biggest crafting achievement and why
I love all the pieces Ive created especially my Custom work but myfavourite piece of all is the Greenman necklace I was approached tomake something as a surprise for someone and was basically giventhe opportunity to produce something different to my usual pieces Ilove making pieces that are based on peoples ideas of what theywant that is really special but the Greenman necklace was mydesign based on what the customer wanted it to represent I had toteach myself etching for the piece as its something Id never learntand Im really pleased with how it worked out
Other than crafting what else do you like to do
I love spending time with my children and family I love baking andcooking too and I suppose I should admit to enjoying the oddrelaxing glass (or bottle) of nice wine when the children are in bed
wwwlittlefairycultcouk
Where would you like to be in 5 years
In 5 years time Id love to be in a better financial position so I canbuy silver and make silver jewellery to sell that isnt just Custom-made Ive started sneaking a few pieces of precious metal jewellerythat are for general sale onto my site
Where does your inspiration come from
My inspiration is usually from the customers themselves They tell mewhat it is they want and I design a piece to reflect that Sometimes theyalter the design slightly to reflect more of how they want it and that isfine For my bead jewellery its usually what beads I have in myworkroom that inspire my beaded pieces I very rarely buy beads for thereason that I have a design idea and usually just buy mixed lots of beadsand work with what I have
What are your favourite materials and why
I really love working with precious metals There is somethinguniquely satisfying about taking a flat sheet of metal and turning itinto a beautiful piece of jewellery Thats why I take pictures of thepieces as I am making them so that other people and the customerwhos item it is can enjoy seeing it progress from a blank piece ofprecious metal into the finished piece
What is favourite shop online that isnrsquot yours and why
Oh my There are so many amazing websites offering beautiful andunique handmade items but I will always take a look at Etsy to see ifthere is anything that catches my eye on there They have such a largevariety of designerssellers making almost everything but the kitchen sink(though I bet if you looked hard enough youd find one on there) Ireally enjoy the little treasuries they do too where you can browse aselection of items that are grouped together by themes
Has any person helped or supported you more than any other
I have had a lot of support from the good friends I have gained on Twitter and of coursemy real life friends have been extremely supportive too but the main reason I actuallysorted out my workroom (or corner of the utility room) was due to my husband insistingthat I start making jewellery again Luckily his insistence and support paid off virtuallystraight away when a friend asked for the octopus necklace I mentioned earlier to bemade
Tell us a random fact about yourself
I have known the sex of each child and whether Id be carrying one or more before I evenconceived them Fairly random but fact nevertheless
Kit includes seed beads 5 x handmade glass beads choker wire x 3 banglewire x 2 ring wire x 3 jewellery pliers beading mat instructions
Makes 8 fabulous and individual pieces of jewellery without the need forfiddly findings books or other money-wasters
Beaded Jewellery Kitpound12Japan Crafts
A coordinating selection of beads plus step-by-step full colour instructions to make your own version of the Jungle Collar design Learn how to work peyote stitch edge it with drops and embellish it with a lush fringe and beaded flowers and leaves Let your beading imagination run wild
Each kit is hand-picked and slightly different so the beads you receive may not be the exact onesshown in the photograph but you can be certain that your necklace will be uniqueThe kit comes carefully packaged in a handy reusable storage box the only things yoursquoll need inaddition are a beading needle a spool of nylon beading thread and some sharp scissors
Beadweaving Kit for Jungle Collar
pound38Lynn Davy
Fairy Earrings Jewellery Making Kit - Ages 7yrs+
pound5Jewellery Making Kits
These single kits are fabulous for all crafty and creative girls They also make great presents for school friends nieces sisters or even grown ups Each kit includes Sterling Silver earwires or studs a small selection of flowers for the skirt a pair of wings a few coloured glass pearls for the heads silver headpin Organza Bag Full set of instructionsSuitable for ages 7 years and up Requires a pair of pliers to finish off - all instructions included
Bracelet Kit - Chunky Swarovski Pearl and Crystal with Toggle Clasp
pound750Wonderstuff Craft Kits
A little kit of bronze Swarovski pearls and Golden Shadow Swarovski crystals silk and toggle clasp
Kit includes 11 x Swarovski 12mm Pearls Colour - Soft Bronze 3 x Swarovski Crystal 8mm Rondelles - Colour - Golden Shadow 8 x Swarovski Crystal 4mmBicones Colour - Light Colorado Topaz 1 x Silver Plated Toggle Bar 1 x Silver plated Toggle RingBracelet length of threading silk Instructions
This kit contains top quality beads to make an exquisite braceletno special tools are needed
Jewellery making kits
from the small crafterWersquove found a selection of wonderful beading kits for allages and experience These are not massed producedsets but offered by the small crafter
This article was created by The Crystal Lady httpwwwmysticearthcouk
This Months
This months lsquoMan of the Monthrsquo is Ade (Adrian)EdmondsonChosen by MegampMillie
This months lsquoLady of the Monthrsquo is GwenStefaniChosen by Claire Pearcy from Elderberry Arts
httpwwwgwenstefanicom
httpwwwunrealitytvcouklets-dance-for-comic-relieflets-dance-for-comic-relief-results-ade-edmondson-and-eighties-super-group-make-next-weeks-final
(Nothing like an April Fools)
This months lsquoBlog of the Month Awardrsquo goes to lsquoItrsquos All Fiddle Fartrsquo
httpitsallfiddlefartblogspotcom
This months lsquoShop of the Month Awardrsquo goes to lsquoJulias DriftwoodFurniturersquo
httpwwwfolksycomshopsseasandview123
ww
wc
reativ
e-cr
afting
co
mw
ww
cr
eative-c
on
nec
tion
snin
gc
om
CREATIVE CRAFTING
Our next issue will be available to read on
1st June 2010If you have missed any of our issues you
can find them to read on our websitewwwcreative-craftingcom
And also on our Social Network Creative Connectionswwwcreative-connectionsningcom
To advertise in Creative Crafting or to submit an article please contact Annaat thecrystalladycreative-craftingcom
AUGUSTSUMMER 2010
Issue 5
By Crafters for Crafters
Check out our
CraftersDirectory
CREATIVE CRAFTING
By Crafters for Crafters
Issue 3
ValentinesMothers Day 2010
HandcraftedWeddingSpecial
Valentine ampMothers Day
Projects
Have youbeen
featured
By Crafters for Crafters
Issue 3ValentinesMothers Day 2010
Handcrafted
Wedding
SpecialValentine amp
Mothers Day
ProjectsHave you
been
featured
By
EASTER 2010
Issue 4
FATHERS DAY 2010
Issue 4
By Crafters for Crafters
Ch
eck out our
Craft
ersDirectory
AUGUSTSUMMER 2
010
Issu
e 5
By Craf
ters fo
r Craf
ters
Chec
k out our
Crafters
Directory
CREATIVE
C
RAFTINGAU
TUM
N H
ALLO
WEE
N 201
0Is
sue
7
CREA
TIVE
CRAF
TIN
G
By Craf
ters f
or C
rafter
s
Chec
k
out our
Craft
ersDirect
ory
An
niv
ersa
ry
Issu
e
Donrsquot forget
All of our links andadverts are fullyclickable
If you would like to embed our magazine into your website blog myspace page etc you can
customise the code to suit your style and size
AUTUMN HALLOWEEN 2010
Issue 7CREATIVE CRAFTING
By Crafters for Crafters
Check out our
CraftersDirectory
Anniversary
Issue
CHRISTMAS 2010
Issue 8
By Crafters for Crafters
FATHERS DAY 2010
Issue 4
By Crafters for Crafters
Check out our
Crafters
Directory
EASTER 2010
Issue 4
By Crafters for Crafters
By Crafters for Crafters
VALENTINES 2011Issue 9
CREATIVE CRAFTING
Crochet Mobile PhoneiPod Cosy
Materials
50g Dk yarn in mustard colourSmall quantity of DK yarn in bright pink for picot edgingof cosy and small roseSmall quantity of DK yarn in sage green for leaves of roseflowerSize 300mm hook
Instructions for the cosy
The cosy can be made to fit a mobile phoneiPod of your choice
Pattern note the pattern is worked in dc throughout and worked in the round using the tapestrycrochet method of crochet This involves carrying a second yarn below the first making it verystrong
Foundation row
Using one strand of DK yarn in mustard make a chain that measures the width of your mobilephoneipod
Rnd 1 dc across row until the last chain 2dc in last chain Turn work
Rnd 2 Begin to carry a second strand of mustard yarn throughouteach round and every round from now on This yarn is not worked butcarried below the first strand of yarn
Work along the opposite side of the row just worked 1dc in first ch1ch in each chain until the last chain 2dc in last chain Now mark thelast stitch just worked with a different colour yarn so you can see theend of the round and keep moving this marker up to the last stitchworked
Rnd 3 Dc in each chain around working in spirals moving the stitchmarker as the piece grows Continue until the work measures thedesired length to fit the mobileiPod Fasten off and tie in loose ends
ch - chain stitchdc - double crochethtr - half treble crochetss - slip stitchtr - treble crochetst - stitch
Instructions for rose flower
Rnd 1 Using DK yarn in bright pink 1tr 2ch 1tr in 4th ch (skip 2ch1tr 2ch 1tr in next ch) 3 times (4 v- spaces)
Rnd 2 3ch 6tr into next v-space 1dc into space between v-spacesContinue with 6tr into each v-space and 1dc in between spaces untilend ss into last ch Fasten off
Roll the work with fingers from start to finish to create a small rose flower and sew together at thebase
Instructions for leaves
Using DK yarn and 300mm hook make 2 leaves as follows
Rnd 1 5ch dc in 2nd ch 1htr in next ch 1tr in each of next 2ch 3ch ss in base of last tr workedNow work on opposite side of stitches by turning the work
Rnd 2 3ch 1tr in each of next 2 ch 1htr in next ch dc ss in top of first st Fasten off and sew inloose ends
Assembly
Sew the leaves to the reverse of the rose and attach to the cosy as shown in the picture
Picot edging
Rnd 1 Using DK yarn in bright pink dc into each stitch around the edge of the cosy opening ss tofirst dc
Rnd 2 3ch ss into 2nd chain from hook ss into base of 3ch dc into next 2ch 3ch continuefrom to ss into last ch Fasten off and sew in loose ends
Written by Andrea Lesley Crochethttpwwwfolksycomshopsandrealesleycrochet
Materials
T - shirt - colour your choiceScissorsChainSewing needle and threadCorsage or embellishments
Step 1 First get a plain whitet-shirt
Step 2 Then cut off the neck Step 3 Now sew two pieces of chain to each side of where theneckline should be
Step 4 Cut a triangle out ofthe bottom of the t-shirt
Step 5 Tie the two ends thatare left into a knot or bow
Step 6 Finally add a corsageor flower to the front
Step 7 Now you have a bang on trend crop top simply wear over a vest top I loved designing andgokking up this t-shirt it took minutes and didnt cost a lot either
Corsage made by Madam SalamihttpwwwetsycomshopMadamSalami
Written By Heidi Jackson
Favourite finds from around the crafting communityThis months focus is Easter and Spring
Click on the images to take you to their store
Online StreetMISI
Ring With A FlowerBlue Fish Handmade
pound800
Spring necklace in glassand sterling silver
RosieJo Jewellerypound1275
Easter Eggs CardNaomi Constable
pound250
FOLKSY
Easter rabbit cushionwith choccie eggs
Phoebelinas Treasurespound500
Easter Knitted BagsFluerette
pound300
Small Gorgeous FeltSpring Bouquets
Spare Minute Productionspound2000
WOW THANK YOU
Green And Brown PetalFlower Bracelet
Sprinkles Sparklespound3750 inc pampp
Handmade Pink Canvas Wall Art(Set of 3)
Craft on Canvaspound3900 inc pampp
Blue Easter ChickDharmapaintings
pound12 20 inc pampp
All prices correct at the time of publication
Favourite finds from around the crafting communityThis months focus is Easter and Spring
Click on the images to take you to their store
Best PicksUGLY BE GONE
Handpainted DottyDolly Pegs
Ticketty Boopound650
Quirky Motifs ShopperRachael Taylor
pound1500
Collette the Cow BibBaby Boutique
pound1100
The Cutie Pie - recycledpaper butterfly shadow boxThe WingSpan Collection
pound6421
Easter 1 Square PendantHappy Easter Spring Flowers
Miss Gooseberry Pendantspound321
ETSY
RETROEasterplastic springfling daisy clip-on earringsamber brown makes art
pound208ARTFIRE
Easter Egg Mini Cards 2x2 6Peculiar Parchment
pound170
Spring Chicks - Little FusedGlass Dish - Easter Gift
First Light Glasspound926
4 Chocolate Easter ParadeBunny Lollipops extra large
Candy Cottagepound741
All prices correct at the time of publication
What you will need3 x 10 inch lengths of purple Cylon cord10mm silver plated lobster clasp and clasp tag2 x silver plated fold over necklace endsApprox 24 Rose Quartz gemstone chip beads(holes need to be large enough to thread onelength of the cylon cord though)2 x 4mm silver plated jump rings
Rose Quartz is the stone of unconditionalloveIt purifies and opens the heart helping thewearer to love themselves as well as others
Rose Quartz draws off negative energy andhelps release unexpressed emotions
Encourages self forgiveness and acceptanceaids self trust and self worth
I find it easier to use a macrame board for making this type of bracelet as it make it easier tokeep the design neat but its not essential I use a simple board made from a cork notice boardand pins I also use nylon nosed pliers to fold over the necklace ends as I find metal pliers oftenleave marks but again they arent essential
Step 2 Thread a chip bead onto each of the outer lengths ofcord
Step 3 Cross the outer cordsover the middle one as youwould in a braid Then braid thecords again
Step 1 Attach one of thenecklace ends to one end ofthe three lengths of CyloncordYou can then use the hole inthe end to attach the braceletto your board
Make a Rose Quartz Bracelet
Step 6 Attach the secondnecklace end to the three cordwithout cutting them as it makesit easier The ends can then betrimmed with a craft knife orsharp scissors
Step 7 Using the jump ringsattach the clasp to one end ofthe bracelet and the clasp tagto the other
Step 4 Thread two chip beadson to the new outer lengths ofcord and braid as in the previousstep
Step 5 Repeat step three and four untilthe bracelet reaches seven inchesor your desired length
(The clasp section will measureapproximately one inch)
If the cord ends become frayed they canbe fixed with a little super glue
Step 8 And there you areOne finished rose quartzbracelet
Would you like to share a craft project with Creative Crafting
Let us know what project you would like toshare with us
Anything from jewellery knitting and crochetcrafts paper crafts or a craft you feel hasbeen forgotten about
Email thecrystalladycreative-craftingcom
Written by Elderberry Artshttpwwwelderberryartscouk
To those who are not yet aware Prince William and Kate Middleton will tie the knot this month onFriday 29th April in a quiet little ceremony at Westminster Abbey To some this may mean getting aday off to celebrate the nuptials or actually attend the whole affair To others like myself who areself-employed there will be no day off and hence little difference from a normal day but we can stillbe happy for the two love birds entering a state of marital bliss for the first timeIn these uncertain economic times I am not sure how the Royal Wedding will affect the economyhow much money will people want to spend Will this mean street parties like those that dominatemany peoplersquos memories from Prince Charles and Dianarsquos wedding back in 1981 Will there be arush to purchase ridiculously crass lsquosouvenirrsquo mugs plates tea towels or will the market just not bethere at all with all the unsold Royal Wedding goods in the pound shops by JuneThe handmade and crafting sector needs to be aware of the sales potential created by this Royalevent and so products should be made available to support the celebrations and possibly make thecountry feel good about itself again Maybe a lovely warm spring day in April will be good for thecountry and make it forget its economic woes for a few hoursWe asked a number of our sellers about their experience of the last big Royal Wedding (Charles andDiana) and what they are going to do this time to celebrate There were mixed feelings ndash manywere too young to remember much about the 1981 event and even though I remember a day offfrom school I cannot remember any street parties or spontaneous Mardi Gras This time around Ithink money will be a big factor and most people will not stray too far from a bit of home baking inred white and blue and also a show of patriotic bunting Union Jacks are quite the lsquoin thingrsquo at themoment for interior design and so a patriotic statement may double as being hip and trendy
Kim Lampard of Zigzag Bunting thinks a great way tocelebrate the Royal Wedding is to make your own buntingShe suggests pulling together a pile of fabrics that you nolonger need but that hold cherished memories for you forexample your daughterrsquos first cute dress a tea-towel youbought on a special holiday an old bedspread made by your
Granny Even if the items are damaged so cannot be passed on to others there is always a littlecorner that can be cut up into a triangle to make a bunting flag Mix a few of these together and ifyou have enough for a colour scheme (such as red white and blue) fine but donrsquot worry the flagsdonrsquot even need to be the same size Sometimes a shabby chic lsquoMix and Matchrsquo approach turns outto be perfect Sew the fabric triangles onto a piece of ribbon or bias tape and you will have awonderful string of bunting to decorate for the special day You and your family will remember notonly the Royal Wedding when you bring out that bunting but have extra glimpses of their past inthe fabrics Definitely a memento to cherish
Gaye Weekes of A amp V Designs now lives in Snowdonia North Wales and onlyan hour away from Anglesey where the Royal couple will begin their marriedlife She has no doubt had that His Highness has been hovering over theirremote valley in his helicopter over recent months Gaye plans to be flying redwhite and green Welsh bunting for the wedding Her bunting is made fromvintage fabric from the 1950s and 1960s - a cotton heavy woven greenand cream floral and a jolly red and white gingham She adds ldquo
rdquo
This article was written by
from
httpwwwwowthankyoucouk
Karine Ait-Mohamed of The Pink Fairy Cake isFrench but now lives in England She says ldquo
rdquo In the spirit of the occasion Karinehas produced a product that combines both England and France into the celebration Shehas produced sets of two Union Jack hearts filled with lavender from Chateau la Gabelle inHaute-Provence
Lisa MacDonald of LisaMollyMacDonaldis quite enthusiastic about the weddingand getting caught up in the glamour of the
occasion ldquo
rdquo
Lou Carswell of Loubie Jewels has some prettyfantastic red white and blue jewellery which wouldbe suitable for a Royal wedding celebration She told
us ldquo
rdquo
So what can we gather from these observations It will be a nice idea to celebrate the RoyalWedding If we apply a little lsquowartimersquo austerity (handmade lends itself to recycling andupcycling) we shouldnrsquot have to spend a fortune We can step back from commercialism andbe involved in a low key but meaningful way that will make the event more memorable for itssimplicity and just a little thrift God Bless William and Kate
Tell us about yourself
My name is Sandra Ritchie I live in Cleethorpes UK with my husbandJason my 10 year old daughter Alisha my 2 year old son Alfred andour dog Dumbledore Primarily I am a housewife but in my sparetime I make jewellery of all kinds from beaded pieces to metal workbut mainly I make custom-made bespoke precious metal jewellery
When did your crafting begin and why
Many years ago I studied Jewellery and Metal Art at college andover time Ive collected the tools I needed but never got round tosetting up a workroom until 2009 when my Husband pointed outthat our Utility Room would be perfect for me to set up as aworkroom to start making jewellery again It seemed ideal Ialready had people interested in me making them some jewelleryand it meant I could stay at home and look after the children as wellas try to establish a name for myself as a Jewellery designermaker
What was the first item you made to sell online
The first item I made to sell whilst not specifically to sell online was asilver octopus necklace commissioned by an acquaintance of mine thathad seen the silver octopus necklace that I made for myself whilst atcollege and wanted one like it She has since purchased the silver andcopper entwined Dragon necklace and a commissioned silver Dragonand is back on my list for another piece to be made My number onefan I think
What is your biggest crafting achievement and why
I love all the pieces Ive created especially my Custom work but myfavourite piece of all is the Greenman necklace I was approached tomake something as a surprise for someone and was basically giventhe opportunity to produce something different to my usual pieces Ilove making pieces that are based on peoples ideas of what theywant that is really special but the Greenman necklace was mydesign based on what the customer wanted it to represent I had toteach myself etching for the piece as its something Id never learntand Im really pleased with how it worked out
Other than crafting what else do you like to do
I love spending time with my children and family I love baking andcooking too and I suppose I should admit to enjoying the oddrelaxing glass (or bottle) of nice wine when the children are in bed
wwwlittlefairycultcouk
Where would you like to be in 5 years
In 5 years time Id love to be in a better financial position so I canbuy silver and make silver jewellery to sell that isnt just Custom-made Ive started sneaking a few pieces of precious metal jewellerythat are for general sale onto my site
Where does your inspiration come from
My inspiration is usually from the customers themselves They tell mewhat it is they want and I design a piece to reflect that Sometimes theyalter the design slightly to reflect more of how they want it and that isfine For my bead jewellery its usually what beads I have in myworkroom that inspire my beaded pieces I very rarely buy beads for thereason that I have a design idea and usually just buy mixed lots of beadsand work with what I have
What are your favourite materials and why
I really love working with precious metals There is somethinguniquely satisfying about taking a flat sheet of metal and turning itinto a beautiful piece of jewellery Thats why I take pictures of thepieces as I am making them so that other people and the customerwhos item it is can enjoy seeing it progress from a blank piece ofprecious metal into the finished piece
What is favourite shop online that isnrsquot yours and why
Oh my There are so many amazing websites offering beautiful andunique handmade items but I will always take a look at Etsy to see ifthere is anything that catches my eye on there They have such a largevariety of designerssellers making almost everything but the kitchen sink(though I bet if you looked hard enough youd find one on there) Ireally enjoy the little treasuries they do too where you can browse aselection of items that are grouped together by themes
Has any person helped or supported you more than any other
I have had a lot of support from the good friends I have gained on Twitter and of coursemy real life friends have been extremely supportive too but the main reason I actuallysorted out my workroom (or corner of the utility room) was due to my husband insistingthat I start making jewellery again Luckily his insistence and support paid off virtuallystraight away when a friend asked for the octopus necklace I mentioned earlier to bemade
Tell us a random fact about yourself
I have known the sex of each child and whether Id be carrying one or more before I evenconceived them Fairly random but fact nevertheless
Kit includes seed beads 5 x handmade glass beads choker wire x 3 banglewire x 2 ring wire x 3 jewellery pliers beading mat instructions
Makes 8 fabulous and individual pieces of jewellery without the need forfiddly findings books or other money-wasters
Beaded Jewellery Kitpound12Japan Crafts
A coordinating selection of beads plus step-by-step full colour instructions to make your own version of the Jungle Collar design Learn how to work peyote stitch edge it with drops and embellish it with a lush fringe and beaded flowers and leaves Let your beading imagination run wild
Each kit is hand-picked and slightly different so the beads you receive may not be the exact onesshown in the photograph but you can be certain that your necklace will be uniqueThe kit comes carefully packaged in a handy reusable storage box the only things yoursquoll need inaddition are a beading needle a spool of nylon beading thread and some sharp scissors
Beadweaving Kit for Jungle Collar
pound38Lynn Davy
Fairy Earrings Jewellery Making Kit - Ages 7yrs+
pound5Jewellery Making Kits
These single kits are fabulous for all crafty and creative girls They also make great presents for school friends nieces sisters or even grown ups Each kit includes Sterling Silver earwires or studs a small selection of flowers for the skirt a pair of wings a few coloured glass pearls for the heads silver headpin Organza Bag Full set of instructionsSuitable for ages 7 years and up Requires a pair of pliers to finish off - all instructions included
Bracelet Kit - Chunky Swarovski Pearl and Crystal with Toggle Clasp
pound750Wonderstuff Craft Kits
A little kit of bronze Swarovski pearls and Golden Shadow Swarovski crystals silk and toggle clasp
Kit includes 11 x Swarovski 12mm Pearls Colour - Soft Bronze 3 x Swarovski Crystal 8mm Rondelles - Colour - Golden Shadow 8 x Swarovski Crystal 4mmBicones Colour - Light Colorado Topaz 1 x Silver Plated Toggle Bar 1 x Silver plated Toggle RingBracelet length of threading silk Instructions
This kit contains top quality beads to make an exquisite braceletno special tools are needed
Jewellery making kits
from the small crafterWersquove found a selection of wonderful beading kits for allages and experience These are not massed producedsets but offered by the small crafter
This article was created by The Crystal Lady httpwwwmysticearthcouk
This Months
This months lsquoMan of the Monthrsquo is Ade (Adrian)EdmondsonChosen by MegampMillie
This months lsquoLady of the Monthrsquo is GwenStefaniChosen by Claire Pearcy from Elderberry Arts
httpwwwgwenstefanicom
httpwwwunrealitytvcouklets-dance-for-comic-relieflets-dance-for-comic-relief-results-ade-edmondson-and-eighties-super-group-make-next-weeks-final
(Nothing like an April Fools)
This months lsquoBlog of the Month Awardrsquo goes to lsquoItrsquos All Fiddle Fartrsquo
httpitsallfiddlefartblogspotcom
This months lsquoShop of the Month Awardrsquo goes to lsquoJulias DriftwoodFurniturersquo
httpwwwfolksycomshopsseasandview123
ww
wc
reativ
e-cr
afting
co
mw
ww
cr
eative-c
on
nec
tion
snin
gc
om
CREATIVE CRAFTING
Our next issue will be available to read on
1st June 2010If you have missed any of our issues you
can find them to read on our websitewwwcreative-craftingcom
And also on our Social Network Creative Connectionswwwcreative-connectionsningcom
To advertise in Creative Crafting or to submit an article please contact Annaat thecrystalladycreative-craftingcom
AUGUSTSUMMER 2010
Issue 5
By Crafters for Crafters
Check out our
CraftersDirectory
CREATIVE CRAFTING
By Crafters for Crafters
Issue 3
ValentinesMothers Day 2010
HandcraftedWeddingSpecial
Valentine ampMothers Day
Projects
Have youbeen
featured
By Crafters for Crafters
Issue 3ValentinesMothers Day 2010
Handcrafted
Wedding
SpecialValentine amp
Mothers Day
ProjectsHave you
been
featured
By
EASTER 2010
Issue 4
FATHERS DAY 2010
Issue 4
By Crafters for Crafters
Ch
eck out our
Craft
ersDirectory
AUGUSTSUMMER 2
010
Issu
e 5
By Craf
ters fo
r Craf
ters
Chec
k out our
Crafters
Directory
CREATIVE
C
RAFTINGAU
TUM
N H
ALLO
WEE
N 201
0Is
sue
7
CREA
TIVE
CRAF
TIN
G
By Craf
ters f
or C
rafter
s
Chec
k
out our
Craft
ersDirect
ory
An
niv
ersa
ry
Issu
e
Donrsquot forget
All of our links andadverts are fullyclickable
If you would like to embed our magazine into your website blog myspace page etc you can
customise the code to suit your style and size
AUTUMN HALLOWEEN 2010
Issue 7CREATIVE CRAFTING
By Crafters for Crafters
Check out our
CraftersDirectory
Anniversary
Issue
CHRISTMAS 2010
Issue 8
By Crafters for Crafters
FATHERS DAY 2010
Issue 4
By Crafters for Crafters
Check out our
Crafters
Directory
EASTER 2010
Issue 4
By Crafters for Crafters
By Crafters for Crafters
VALENTINES 2011Issue 9
CREATIVE CRAFTING
Instructions for rose flower
Rnd 1 Using DK yarn in bright pink 1tr 2ch 1tr in 4th ch (skip 2ch1tr 2ch 1tr in next ch) 3 times (4 v- spaces)
Rnd 2 3ch 6tr into next v-space 1dc into space between v-spacesContinue with 6tr into each v-space and 1dc in between spaces untilend ss into last ch Fasten off
Roll the work with fingers from start to finish to create a small rose flower and sew together at thebase
Instructions for leaves
Using DK yarn and 300mm hook make 2 leaves as follows
Rnd 1 5ch dc in 2nd ch 1htr in next ch 1tr in each of next 2ch 3ch ss in base of last tr workedNow work on opposite side of stitches by turning the work
Rnd 2 3ch 1tr in each of next 2 ch 1htr in next ch dc ss in top of first st Fasten off and sew inloose ends
Assembly
Sew the leaves to the reverse of the rose and attach to the cosy as shown in the picture
Picot edging
Rnd 1 Using DK yarn in bright pink dc into each stitch around the edge of the cosy opening ss tofirst dc
Rnd 2 3ch ss into 2nd chain from hook ss into base of 3ch dc into next 2ch 3ch continuefrom to ss into last ch Fasten off and sew in loose ends
Written by Andrea Lesley Crochethttpwwwfolksycomshopsandrealesleycrochet
Materials
T - shirt - colour your choiceScissorsChainSewing needle and threadCorsage or embellishments
Step 1 First get a plain whitet-shirt
Step 2 Then cut off the neck Step 3 Now sew two pieces of chain to each side of where theneckline should be
Step 4 Cut a triangle out ofthe bottom of the t-shirt
Step 5 Tie the two ends thatare left into a knot or bow
Step 6 Finally add a corsageor flower to the front
Step 7 Now you have a bang on trend crop top simply wear over a vest top I loved designing andgokking up this t-shirt it took minutes and didnt cost a lot either
Corsage made by Madam SalamihttpwwwetsycomshopMadamSalami
Written By Heidi Jackson
Favourite finds from around the crafting communityThis months focus is Easter and Spring
Click on the images to take you to their store
Online StreetMISI
Ring With A FlowerBlue Fish Handmade
pound800
Spring necklace in glassand sterling silver
RosieJo Jewellerypound1275
Easter Eggs CardNaomi Constable
pound250
FOLKSY
Easter rabbit cushionwith choccie eggs
Phoebelinas Treasurespound500
Easter Knitted BagsFluerette
pound300
Small Gorgeous FeltSpring Bouquets
Spare Minute Productionspound2000
WOW THANK YOU
Green And Brown PetalFlower Bracelet
Sprinkles Sparklespound3750 inc pampp
Handmade Pink Canvas Wall Art(Set of 3)
Craft on Canvaspound3900 inc pampp
Blue Easter ChickDharmapaintings
pound12 20 inc pampp
All prices correct at the time of publication
Favourite finds from around the crafting communityThis months focus is Easter and Spring
Click on the images to take you to their store
Best PicksUGLY BE GONE
Handpainted DottyDolly Pegs
Ticketty Boopound650
Quirky Motifs ShopperRachael Taylor
pound1500
Collette the Cow BibBaby Boutique
pound1100
The Cutie Pie - recycledpaper butterfly shadow boxThe WingSpan Collection
pound6421
Easter 1 Square PendantHappy Easter Spring Flowers
Miss Gooseberry Pendantspound321
ETSY
RETROEasterplastic springfling daisy clip-on earringsamber brown makes art
pound208ARTFIRE
Easter Egg Mini Cards 2x2 6Peculiar Parchment
pound170
Spring Chicks - Little FusedGlass Dish - Easter Gift
First Light Glasspound926
4 Chocolate Easter ParadeBunny Lollipops extra large
Candy Cottagepound741
All prices correct at the time of publication
What you will need3 x 10 inch lengths of purple Cylon cord10mm silver plated lobster clasp and clasp tag2 x silver plated fold over necklace endsApprox 24 Rose Quartz gemstone chip beads(holes need to be large enough to thread onelength of the cylon cord though)2 x 4mm silver plated jump rings
Rose Quartz is the stone of unconditionalloveIt purifies and opens the heart helping thewearer to love themselves as well as others
Rose Quartz draws off negative energy andhelps release unexpressed emotions
Encourages self forgiveness and acceptanceaids self trust and self worth
I find it easier to use a macrame board for making this type of bracelet as it make it easier tokeep the design neat but its not essential I use a simple board made from a cork notice boardand pins I also use nylon nosed pliers to fold over the necklace ends as I find metal pliers oftenleave marks but again they arent essential
Step 2 Thread a chip bead onto each of the outer lengths ofcord
Step 3 Cross the outer cordsover the middle one as youwould in a braid Then braid thecords again
Step 1 Attach one of thenecklace ends to one end ofthe three lengths of CyloncordYou can then use the hole inthe end to attach the braceletto your board
Make a Rose Quartz Bracelet
Step 6 Attach the secondnecklace end to the three cordwithout cutting them as it makesit easier The ends can then betrimmed with a craft knife orsharp scissors
Step 7 Using the jump ringsattach the clasp to one end ofthe bracelet and the clasp tagto the other
Step 4 Thread two chip beadson to the new outer lengths ofcord and braid as in the previousstep
Step 5 Repeat step three and four untilthe bracelet reaches seven inchesor your desired length
(The clasp section will measureapproximately one inch)
If the cord ends become frayed they canbe fixed with a little super glue
Step 8 And there you areOne finished rose quartzbracelet
Would you like to share a craft project with Creative Crafting
Let us know what project you would like toshare with us
Anything from jewellery knitting and crochetcrafts paper crafts or a craft you feel hasbeen forgotten about
Email thecrystalladycreative-craftingcom
Written by Elderberry Artshttpwwwelderberryartscouk
To those who are not yet aware Prince William and Kate Middleton will tie the knot this month onFriday 29th April in a quiet little ceremony at Westminster Abbey To some this may mean getting aday off to celebrate the nuptials or actually attend the whole affair To others like myself who areself-employed there will be no day off and hence little difference from a normal day but we can stillbe happy for the two love birds entering a state of marital bliss for the first timeIn these uncertain economic times I am not sure how the Royal Wedding will affect the economyhow much money will people want to spend Will this mean street parties like those that dominatemany peoplersquos memories from Prince Charles and Dianarsquos wedding back in 1981 Will there be arush to purchase ridiculously crass lsquosouvenirrsquo mugs plates tea towels or will the market just not bethere at all with all the unsold Royal Wedding goods in the pound shops by JuneThe handmade and crafting sector needs to be aware of the sales potential created by this Royalevent and so products should be made available to support the celebrations and possibly make thecountry feel good about itself again Maybe a lovely warm spring day in April will be good for thecountry and make it forget its economic woes for a few hoursWe asked a number of our sellers about their experience of the last big Royal Wedding (Charles andDiana) and what they are going to do this time to celebrate There were mixed feelings ndash manywere too young to remember much about the 1981 event and even though I remember a day offfrom school I cannot remember any street parties or spontaneous Mardi Gras This time around Ithink money will be a big factor and most people will not stray too far from a bit of home baking inred white and blue and also a show of patriotic bunting Union Jacks are quite the lsquoin thingrsquo at themoment for interior design and so a patriotic statement may double as being hip and trendy
Kim Lampard of Zigzag Bunting thinks a great way tocelebrate the Royal Wedding is to make your own buntingShe suggests pulling together a pile of fabrics that you nolonger need but that hold cherished memories for you forexample your daughterrsquos first cute dress a tea-towel youbought on a special holiday an old bedspread made by your
Granny Even if the items are damaged so cannot be passed on to others there is always a littlecorner that can be cut up into a triangle to make a bunting flag Mix a few of these together and ifyou have enough for a colour scheme (such as red white and blue) fine but donrsquot worry the flagsdonrsquot even need to be the same size Sometimes a shabby chic lsquoMix and Matchrsquo approach turns outto be perfect Sew the fabric triangles onto a piece of ribbon or bias tape and you will have awonderful string of bunting to decorate for the special day You and your family will remember notonly the Royal Wedding when you bring out that bunting but have extra glimpses of their past inthe fabrics Definitely a memento to cherish
Gaye Weekes of A amp V Designs now lives in Snowdonia North Wales and onlyan hour away from Anglesey where the Royal couple will begin their marriedlife She has no doubt had that His Highness has been hovering over theirremote valley in his helicopter over recent months Gaye plans to be flying redwhite and green Welsh bunting for the wedding Her bunting is made fromvintage fabric from the 1950s and 1960s - a cotton heavy woven greenand cream floral and a jolly red and white gingham She adds ldquo
rdquo
This article was written by
from
httpwwwwowthankyoucouk
Karine Ait-Mohamed of The Pink Fairy Cake isFrench but now lives in England She says ldquo
rdquo In the spirit of the occasion Karinehas produced a product that combines both England and France into the celebration Shehas produced sets of two Union Jack hearts filled with lavender from Chateau la Gabelle inHaute-Provence
Lisa MacDonald of LisaMollyMacDonaldis quite enthusiastic about the weddingand getting caught up in the glamour of the
occasion ldquo
rdquo
Lou Carswell of Loubie Jewels has some prettyfantastic red white and blue jewellery which wouldbe suitable for a Royal wedding celebration She told
us ldquo
rdquo
So what can we gather from these observations It will be a nice idea to celebrate the RoyalWedding If we apply a little lsquowartimersquo austerity (handmade lends itself to recycling andupcycling) we shouldnrsquot have to spend a fortune We can step back from commercialism andbe involved in a low key but meaningful way that will make the event more memorable for itssimplicity and just a little thrift God Bless William and Kate
Tell us about yourself
My name is Sandra Ritchie I live in Cleethorpes UK with my husbandJason my 10 year old daughter Alisha my 2 year old son Alfred andour dog Dumbledore Primarily I am a housewife but in my sparetime I make jewellery of all kinds from beaded pieces to metal workbut mainly I make custom-made bespoke precious metal jewellery
When did your crafting begin and why
Many years ago I studied Jewellery and Metal Art at college andover time Ive collected the tools I needed but never got round tosetting up a workroom until 2009 when my Husband pointed outthat our Utility Room would be perfect for me to set up as aworkroom to start making jewellery again It seemed ideal Ialready had people interested in me making them some jewelleryand it meant I could stay at home and look after the children as wellas try to establish a name for myself as a Jewellery designermaker
What was the first item you made to sell online
The first item I made to sell whilst not specifically to sell online was asilver octopus necklace commissioned by an acquaintance of mine thathad seen the silver octopus necklace that I made for myself whilst atcollege and wanted one like it She has since purchased the silver andcopper entwined Dragon necklace and a commissioned silver Dragonand is back on my list for another piece to be made My number onefan I think
What is your biggest crafting achievement and why
I love all the pieces Ive created especially my Custom work but myfavourite piece of all is the Greenman necklace I was approached tomake something as a surprise for someone and was basically giventhe opportunity to produce something different to my usual pieces Ilove making pieces that are based on peoples ideas of what theywant that is really special but the Greenman necklace was mydesign based on what the customer wanted it to represent I had toteach myself etching for the piece as its something Id never learntand Im really pleased with how it worked out
Other than crafting what else do you like to do
I love spending time with my children and family I love baking andcooking too and I suppose I should admit to enjoying the oddrelaxing glass (or bottle) of nice wine when the children are in bed
wwwlittlefairycultcouk
Where would you like to be in 5 years
In 5 years time Id love to be in a better financial position so I canbuy silver and make silver jewellery to sell that isnt just Custom-made Ive started sneaking a few pieces of precious metal jewellerythat are for general sale onto my site
Where does your inspiration come from
My inspiration is usually from the customers themselves They tell mewhat it is they want and I design a piece to reflect that Sometimes theyalter the design slightly to reflect more of how they want it and that isfine For my bead jewellery its usually what beads I have in myworkroom that inspire my beaded pieces I very rarely buy beads for thereason that I have a design idea and usually just buy mixed lots of beadsand work with what I have
What are your favourite materials and why
I really love working with precious metals There is somethinguniquely satisfying about taking a flat sheet of metal and turning itinto a beautiful piece of jewellery Thats why I take pictures of thepieces as I am making them so that other people and the customerwhos item it is can enjoy seeing it progress from a blank piece ofprecious metal into the finished piece
What is favourite shop online that isnrsquot yours and why
Oh my There are so many amazing websites offering beautiful andunique handmade items but I will always take a look at Etsy to see ifthere is anything that catches my eye on there They have such a largevariety of designerssellers making almost everything but the kitchen sink(though I bet if you looked hard enough youd find one on there) Ireally enjoy the little treasuries they do too where you can browse aselection of items that are grouped together by themes
Has any person helped or supported you more than any other
I have had a lot of support from the good friends I have gained on Twitter and of coursemy real life friends have been extremely supportive too but the main reason I actuallysorted out my workroom (or corner of the utility room) was due to my husband insistingthat I start making jewellery again Luckily his insistence and support paid off virtuallystraight away when a friend asked for the octopus necklace I mentioned earlier to bemade
Tell us a random fact about yourself
I have known the sex of each child and whether Id be carrying one or more before I evenconceived them Fairly random but fact nevertheless
Kit includes seed beads 5 x handmade glass beads choker wire x 3 banglewire x 2 ring wire x 3 jewellery pliers beading mat instructions
Makes 8 fabulous and individual pieces of jewellery without the need forfiddly findings books or other money-wasters
Beaded Jewellery Kitpound12Japan Crafts
A coordinating selection of beads plus step-by-step full colour instructions to make your own version of the Jungle Collar design Learn how to work peyote stitch edge it with drops and embellish it with a lush fringe and beaded flowers and leaves Let your beading imagination run wild
Each kit is hand-picked and slightly different so the beads you receive may not be the exact onesshown in the photograph but you can be certain that your necklace will be uniqueThe kit comes carefully packaged in a handy reusable storage box the only things yoursquoll need inaddition are a beading needle a spool of nylon beading thread and some sharp scissors
Beadweaving Kit for Jungle Collar
pound38Lynn Davy
Fairy Earrings Jewellery Making Kit - Ages 7yrs+
pound5Jewellery Making Kits
These single kits are fabulous for all crafty and creative girls They also make great presents for school friends nieces sisters or even grown ups Each kit includes Sterling Silver earwires or studs a small selection of flowers for the skirt a pair of wings a few coloured glass pearls for the heads silver headpin Organza Bag Full set of instructionsSuitable for ages 7 years and up Requires a pair of pliers to finish off - all instructions included
Bracelet Kit - Chunky Swarovski Pearl and Crystal with Toggle Clasp
pound750Wonderstuff Craft Kits
A little kit of bronze Swarovski pearls and Golden Shadow Swarovski crystals silk and toggle clasp
Kit includes 11 x Swarovski 12mm Pearls Colour - Soft Bronze 3 x Swarovski Crystal 8mm Rondelles - Colour - Golden Shadow 8 x Swarovski Crystal 4mmBicones Colour - Light Colorado Topaz 1 x Silver Plated Toggle Bar 1 x Silver plated Toggle RingBracelet length of threading silk Instructions
This kit contains top quality beads to make an exquisite braceletno special tools are needed
Jewellery making kits
from the small crafterWersquove found a selection of wonderful beading kits for allages and experience These are not massed producedsets but offered by the small crafter
This article was created by The Crystal Lady httpwwwmysticearthcouk
This Months
This months lsquoMan of the Monthrsquo is Ade (Adrian)EdmondsonChosen by MegampMillie
This months lsquoLady of the Monthrsquo is GwenStefaniChosen by Claire Pearcy from Elderberry Arts
httpwwwgwenstefanicom
httpwwwunrealitytvcouklets-dance-for-comic-relieflets-dance-for-comic-relief-results-ade-edmondson-and-eighties-super-group-make-next-weeks-final
(Nothing like an April Fools)
This months lsquoBlog of the Month Awardrsquo goes to lsquoItrsquos All Fiddle Fartrsquo
httpitsallfiddlefartblogspotcom
This months lsquoShop of the Month Awardrsquo goes to lsquoJulias DriftwoodFurniturersquo
httpwwwfolksycomshopsseasandview123
ww
wc
reativ
e-cr
afting
co
mw
ww
cr
eative-c
on
nec
tion
snin
gc
om
CREATIVE CRAFTING
Our next issue will be available to read on
1st June 2010If you have missed any of our issues you
can find them to read on our websitewwwcreative-craftingcom
And also on our Social Network Creative Connectionswwwcreative-connectionsningcom
To advertise in Creative Crafting or to submit an article please contact Annaat thecrystalladycreative-craftingcom
AUGUSTSUMMER 2010
Issue 5
By Crafters for Crafters
Check out our
CraftersDirectory
CREATIVE CRAFTING
By Crafters for Crafters
Issue 3
ValentinesMothers Day 2010
HandcraftedWeddingSpecial
Valentine ampMothers Day
Projects
Have youbeen
featured
By Crafters for Crafters
Issue 3ValentinesMothers Day 2010
Handcrafted
Wedding
SpecialValentine amp
Mothers Day
ProjectsHave you
been
featured
By
EASTER 2010
Issue 4
FATHERS DAY 2010
Issue 4
By Crafters for Crafters
Ch
eck out our
Craft
ersDirectory
AUGUSTSUMMER 2
010
Issu
e 5
By Craf
ters fo
r Craf
ters
Chec
k out our
Crafters
Directory
CREATIVE
C
RAFTINGAU
TUM
N H
ALLO
WEE
N 201
0Is
sue
7
CREA
TIVE
CRAF
TIN
G
By Craf
ters f
or C
rafter
s
Chec
k
out our
Craft
ersDirect
ory
An
niv
ersa
ry
Issu
e
Donrsquot forget
All of our links andadverts are fullyclickable
If you would like to embed our magazine into your website blog myspace page etc you can
customise the code to suit your style and size
AUTUMN HALLOWEEN 2010
Issue 7CREATIVE CRAFTING
By Crafters for Crafters
Check out our
CraftersDirectory
Anniversary
Issue
CHRISTMAS 2010
Issue 8
By Crafters for Crafters
FATHERS DAY 2010
Issue 4
By Crafters for Crafters
Check out our
Crafters
Directory
EASTER 2010
Issue 4
By Crafters for Crafters
By Crafters for Crafters
VALENTINES 2011Issue 9
CREATIVE CRAFTING
Materials
T - shirt - colour your choiceScissorsChainSewing needle and threadCorsage or embellishments
Step 1 First get a plain whitet-shirt
Step 2 Then cut off the neck Step 3 Now sew two pieces of chain to each side of where theneckline should be
Step 4 Cut a triangle out ofthe bottom of the t-shirt
Step 5 Tie the two ends thatare left into a knot or bow
Step 6 Finally add a corsageor flower to the front
Step 7 Now you have a bang on trend crop top simply wear over a vest top I loved designing andgokking up this t-shirt it took minutes and didnt cost a lot either
Corsage made by Madam SalamihttpwwwetsycomshopMadamSalami
Written By Heidi Jackson
Favourite finds from around the crafting communityThis months focus is Easter and Spring
Click on the images to take you to their store
Online StreetMISI
Ring With A FlowerBlue Fish Handmade
pound800
Spring necklace in glassand sterling silver
RosieJo Jewellerypound1275
Easter Eggs CardNaomi Constable
pound250
FOLKSY
Easter rabbit cushionwith choccie eggs
Phoebelinas Treasurespound500
Easter Knitted BagsFluerette
pound300
Small Gorgeous FeltSpring Bouquets
Spare Minute Productionspound2000
WOW THANK YOU
Green And Brown PetalFlower Bracelet
Sprinkles Sparklespound3750 inc pampp
Handmade Pink Canvas Wall Art(Set of 3)
Craft on Canvaspound3900 inc pampp
Blue Easter ChickDharmapaintings
pound12 20 inc pampp
All prices correct at the time of publication
Favourite finds from around the crafting communityThis months focus is Easter and Spring
Click on the images to take you to their store
Best PicksUGLY BE GONE
Handpainted DottyDolly Pegs
Ticketty Boopound650
Quirky Motifs ShopperRachael Taylor
pound1500
Collette the Cow BibBaby Boutique
pound1100
The Cutie Pie - recycledpaper butterfly shadow boxThe WingSpan Collection
pound6421
Easter 1 Square PendantHappy Easter Spring Flowers
Miss Gooseberry Pendantspound321
ETSY
RETROEasterplastic springfling daisy clip-on earringsamber brown makes art
pound208ARTFIRE
Easter Egg Mini Cards 2x2 6Peculiar Parchment
pound170
Spring Chicks - Little FusedGlass Dish - Easter Gift
First Light Glasspound926
4 Chocolate Easter ParadeBunny Lollipops extra large
Candy Cottagepound741
All prices correct at the time of publication
What you will need3 x 10 inch lengths of purple Cylon cord10mm silver plated lobster clasp and clasp tag2 x silver plated fold over necklace endsApprox 24 Rose Quartz gemstone chip beads(holes need to be large enough to thread onelength of the cylon cord though)2 x 4mm silver plated jump rings
Rose Quartz is the stone of unconditionalloveIt purifies and opens the heart helping thewearer to love themselves as well as others
Rose Quartz draws off negative energy andhelps release unexpressed emotions
Encourages self forgiveness and acceptanceaids self trust and self worth
I find it easier to use a macrame board for making this type of bracelet as it make it easier tokeep the design neat but its not essential I use a simple board made from a cork notice boardand pins I also use nylon nosed pliers to fold over the necklace ends as I find metal pliers oftenleave marks but again they arent essential
Step 2 Thread a chip bead onto each of the outer lengths ofcord
Step 3 Cross the outer cordsover the middle one as youwould in a braid Then braid thecords again
Step 1 Attach one of thenecklace ends to one end ofthe three lengths of CyloncordYou can then use the hole inthe end to attach the braceletto your board
Make a Rose Quartz Bracelet
Step 6 Attach the secondnecklace end to the three cordwithout cutting them as it makesit easier The ends can then betrimmed with a craft knife orsharp scissors
Step 7 Using the jump ringsattach the clasp to one end ofthe bracelet and the clasp tagto the other
Step 4 Thread two chip beadson to the new outer lengths ofcord and braid as in the previousstep
Step 5 Repeat step three and four untilthe bracelet reaches seven inchesor your desired length
(The clasp section will measureapproximately one inch)
If the cord ends become frayed they canbe fixed with a little super glue
Step 8 And there you areOne finished rose quartzbracelet
Would you like to share a craft project with Creative Crafting
Let us know what project you would like toshare with us
Anything from jewellery knitting and crochetcrafts paper crafts or a craft you feel hasbeen forgotten about
Email thecrystalladycreative-craftingcom
Written by Elderberry Artshttpwwwelderberryartscouk
To those who are not yet aware Prince William and Kate Middleton will tie the knot this month onFriday 29th April in a quiet little ceremony at Westminster Abbey To some this may mean getting aday off to celebrate the nuptials or actually attend the whole affair To others like myself who areself-employed there will be no day off and hence little difference from a normal day but we can stillbe happy for the two love birds entering a state of marital bliss for the first timeIn these uncertain economic times I am not sure how the Royal Wedding will affect the economyhow much money will people want to spend Will this mean street parties like those that dominatemany peoplersquos memories from Prince Charles and Dianarsquos wedding back in 1981 Will there be arush to purchase ridiculously crass lsquosouvenirrsquo mugs plates tea towels or will the market just not bethere at all with all the unsold Royal Wedding goods in the pound shops by JuneThe handmade and crafting sector needs to be aware of the sales potential created by this Royalevent and so products should be made available to support the celebrations and possibly make thecountry feel good about itself again Maybe a lovely warm spring day in April will be good for thecountry and make it forget its economic woes for a few hoursWe asked a number of our sellers about their experience of the last big Royal Wedding (Charles andDiana) and what they are going to do this time to celebrate There were mixed feelings ndash manywere too young to remember much about the 1981 event and even though I remember a day offfrom school I cannot remember any street parties or spontaneous Mardi Gras This time around Ithink money will be a big factor and most people will not stray too far from a bit of home baking inred white and blue and also a show of patriotic bunting Union Jacks are quite the lsquoin thingrsquo at themoment for interior design and so a patriotic statement may double as being hip and trendy
Kim Lampard of Zigzag Bunting thinks a great way tocelebrate the Royal Wedding is to make your own buntingShe suggests pulling together a pile of fabrics that you nolonger need but that hold cherished memories for you forexample your daughterrsquos first cute dress a tea-towel youbought on a special holiday an old bedspread made by your
Granny Even if the items are damaged so cannot be passed on to others there is always a littlecorner that can be cut up into a triangle to make a bunting flag Mix a few of these together and ifyou have enough for a colour scheme (such as red white and blue) fine but donrsquot worry the flagsdonrsquot even need to be the same size Sometimes a shabby chic lsquoMix and Matchrsquo approach turns outto be perfect Sew the fabric triangles onto a piece of ribbon or bias tape and you will have awonderful string of bunting to decorate for the special day You and your family will remember notonly the Royal Wedding when you bring out that bunting but have extra glimpses of their past inthe fabrics Definitely a memento to cherish
Gaye Weekes of A amp V Designs now lives in Snowdonia North Wales and onlyan hour away from Anglesey where the Royal couple will begin their marriedlife She has no doubt had that His Highness has been hovering over theirremote valley in his helicopter over recent months Gaye plans to be flying redwhite and green Welsh bunting for the wedding Her bunting is made fromvintage fabric from the 1950s and 1960s - a cotton heavy woven greenand cream floral and a jolly red and white gingham She adds ldquo
rdquo
This article was written by
from
httpwwwwowthankyoucouk
Karine Ait-Mohamed of The Pink Fairy Cake isFrench but now lives in England She says ldquo
rdquo In the spirit of the occasion Karinehas produced a product that combines both England and France into the celebration Shehas produced sets of two Union Jack hearts filled with lavender from Chateau la Gabelle inHaute-Provence
Lisa MacDonald of LisaMollyMacDonaldis quite enthusiastic about the weddingand getting caught up in the glamour of the
occasion ldquo
rdquo
Lou Carswell of Loubie Jewels has some prettyfantastic red white and blue jewellery which wouldbe suitable for a Royal wedding celebration She told
us ldquo
rdquo
So what can we gather from these observations It will be a nice idea to celebrate the RoyalWedding If we apply a little lsquowartimersquo austerity (handmade lends itself to recycling andupcycling) we shouldnrsquot have to spend a fortune We can step back from commercialism andbe involved in a low key but meaningful way that will make the event more memorable for itssimplicity and just a little thrift God Bless William and Kate
Tell us about yourself
My name is Sandra Ritchie I live in Cleethorpes UK with my husbandJason my 10 year old daughter Alisha my 2 year old son Alfred andour dog Dumbledore Primarily I am a housewife but in my sparetime I make jewellery of all kinds from beaded pieces to metal workbut mainly I make custom-made bespoke precious metal jewellery
When did your crafting begin and why
Many years ago I studied Jewellery and Metal Art at college andover time Ive collected the tools I needed but never got round tosetting up a workroom until 2009 when my Husband pointed outthat our Utility Room would be perfect for me to set up as aworkroom to start making jewellery again It seemed ideal Ialready had people interested in me making them some jewelleryand it meant I could stay at home and look after the children as wellas try to establish a name for myself as a Jewellery designermaker
What was the first item you made to sell online
The first item I made to sell whilst not specifically to sell online was asilver octopus necklace commissioned by an acquaintance of mine thathad seen the silver octopus necklace that I made for myself whilst atcollege and wanted one like it She has since purchased the silver andcopper entwined Dragon necklace and a commissioned silver Dragonand is back on my list for another piece to be made My number onefan I think
What is your biggest crafting achievement and why
I love all the pieces Ive created especially my Custom work but myfavourite piece of all is the Greenman necklace I was approached tomake something as a surprise for someone and was basically giventhe opportunity to produce something different to my usual pieces Ilove making pieces that are based on peoples ideas of what theywant that is really special but the Greenman necklace was mydesign based on what the customer wanted it to represent I had toteach myself etching for the piece as its something Id never learntand Im really pleased with how it worked out
Other than crafting what else do you like to do
I love spending time with my children and family I love baking andcooking too and I suppose I should admit to enjoying the oddrelaxing glass (or bottle) of nice wine when the children are in bed
wwwlittlefairycultcouk
Where would you like to be in 5 years
In 5 years time Id love to be in a better financial position so I canbuy silver and make silver jewellery to sell that isnt just Custom-made Ive started sneaking a few pieces of precious metal jewellerythat are for general sale onto my site
Where does your inspiration come from
My inspiration is usually from the customers themselves They tell mewhat it is they want and I design a piece to reflect that Sometimes theyalter the design slightly to reflect more of how they want it and that isfine For my bead jewellery its usually what beads I have in myworkroom that inspire my beaded pieces I very rarely buy beads for thereason that I have a design idea and usually just buy mixed lots of beadsand work with what I have
What are your favourite materials and why
I really love working with precious metals There is somethinguniquely satisfying about taking a flat sheet of metal and turning itinto a beautiful piece of jewellery Thats why I take pictures of thepieces as I am making them so that other people and the customerwhos item it is can enjoy seeing it progress from a blank piece ofprecious metal into the finished piece
What is favourite shop online that isnrsquot yours and why
Oh my There are so many amazing websites offering beautiful andunique handmade items but I will always take a look at Etsy to see ifthere is anything that catches my eye on there They have such a largevariety of designerssellers making almost everything but the kitchen sink(though I bet if you looked hard enough youd find one on there) Ireally enjoy the little treasuries they do too where you can browse aselection of items that are grouped together by themes
Has any person helped or supported you more than any other
I have had a lot of support from the good friends I have gained on Twitter and of coursemy real life friends have been extremely supportive too but the main reason I actuallysorted out my workroom (or corner of the utility room) was due to my husband insistingthat I start making jewellery again Luckily his insistence and support paid off virtuallystraight away when a friend asked for the octopus necklace I mentioned earlier to bemade
Tell us a random fact about yourself
I have known the sex of each child and whether Id be carrying one or more before I evenconceived them Fairly random but fact nevertheless
Kit includes seed beads 5 x handmade glass beads choker wire x 3 banglewire x 2 ring wire x 3 jewellery pliers beading mat instructions
Makes 8 fabulous and individual pieces of jewellery without the need forfiddly findings books or other money-wasters
Beaded Jewellery Kitpound12Japan Crafts
A coordinating selection of beads plus step-by-step full colour instructions to make your own version of the Jungle Collar design Learn how to work peyote stitch edge it with drops and embellish it with a lush fringe and beaded flowers and leaves Let your beading imagination run wild
Each kit is hand-picked and slightly different so the beads you receive may not be the exact onesshown in the photograph but you can be certain that your necklace will be uniqueThe kit comes carefully packaged in a handy reusable storage box the only things yoursquoll need inaddition are a beading needle a spool of nylon beading thread and some sharp scissors
Beadweaving Kit for Jungle Collar
pound38Lynn Davy
Fairy Earrings Jewellery Making Kit - Ages 7yrs+
pound5Jewellery Making Kits
These single kits are fabulous for all crafty and creative girls They also make great presents for school friends nieces sisters or even grown ups Each kit includes Sterling Silver earwires or studs a small selection of flowers for the skirt a pair of wings a few coloured glass pearls for the heads silver headpin Organza Bag Full set of instructionsSuitable for ages 7 years and up Requires a pair of pliers to finish off - all instructions included
Bracelet Kit - Chunky Swarovski Pearl and Crystal with Toggle Clasp
pound750Wonderstuff Craft Kits
A little kit of bronze Swarovski pearls and Golden Shadow Swarovski crystals silk and toggle clasp
Kit includes 11 x Swarovski 12mm Pearls Colour - Soft Bronze 3 x Swarovski Crystal 8mm Rondelles - Colour - Golden Shadow 8 x Swarovski Crystal 4mmBicones Colour - Light Colorado Topaz 1 x Silver Plated Toggle Bar 1 x Silver plated Toggle RingBracelet length of threading silk Instructions
This kit contains top quality beads to make an exquisite braceletno special tools are needed
Jewellery making kits
from the small crafterWersquove found a selection of wonderful beading kits for allages and experience These are not massed producedsets but offered by the small crafter
This article was created by The Crystal Lady httpwwwmysticearthcouk
This Months
This months lsquoMan of the Monthrsquo is Ade (Adrian)EdmondsonChosen by MegampMillie
This months lsquoLady of the Monthrsquo is GwenStefaniChosen by Claire Pearcy from Elderberry Arts
httpwwwgwenstefanicom
httpwwwunrealitytvcouklets-dance-for-comic-relieflets-dance-for-comic-relief-results-ade-edmondson-and-eighties-super-group-make-next-weeks-final
(Nothing like an April Fools)
This months lsquoBlog of the Month Awardrsquo goes to lsquoItrsquos All Fiddle Fartrsquo
httpitsallfiddlefartblogspotcom
This months lsquoShop of the Month Awardrsquo goes to lsquoJulias DriftwoodFurniturersquo
httpwwwfolksycomshopsseasandview123
ww
wc
reativ
e-cr
afting
co
mw
ww
cr
eative-c
on
nec
tion
snin
gc
om
CREATIVE CRAFTING
Our next issue will be available to read on
1st June 2010If you have missed any of our issues you
can find them to read on our websitewwwcreative-craftingcom
And also on our Social Network Creative Connectionswwwcreative-connectionsningcom
To advertise in Creative Crafting or to submit an article please contact Annaat thecrystalladycreative-craftingcom
AUGUSTSUMMER 2010
Issue 5
By Crafters for Crafters
Check out our
CraftersDirectory
CREATIVE CRAFTING
By Crafters for Crafters
Issue 3
ValentinesMothers Day 2010
HandcraftedWeddingSpecial
Valentine ampMothers Day
Projects
Have youbeen
featured
By Crafters for Crafters
Issue 3ValentinesMothers Day 2010
Handcrafted
Wedding
SpecialValentine amp
Mothers Day
ProjectsHave you
been
featured
By
EASTER 2010
Issue 4
FATHERS DAY 2010
Issue 4
By Crafters for Crafters
Ch
eck out our
Craft
ersDirectory
AUGUSTSUMMER 2
010
Issu
e 5
By Craf
ters fo
r Craf
ters
Chec
k out our
Crafters
Directory
CREATIVE
C
RAFTINGAU
TUM
N H
ALLO
WEE
N 201
0Is
sue
7
CREA
TIVE
CRAF
TIN
G
By Craf
ters f
or C
rafter
s
Chec
k
out our
Craft
ersDirect
ory
An
niv
ersa
ry
Issu
e
Donrsquot forget
All of our links andadverts are fullyclickable
If you would like to embed our magazine into your website blog myspace page etc you can
customise the code to suit your style and size
AUTUMN HALLOWEEN 2010
Issue 7CREATIVE CRAFTING
By Crafters for Crafters
Check out our
CraftersDirectory
Anniversary
Issue
CHRISTMAS 2010
Issue 8
By Crafters for Crafters
FATHERS DAY 2010
Issue 4
By Crafters for Crafters
Check out our
Crafters
Directory
EASTER 2010
Issue 4
By Crafters for Crafters
By Crafters for Crafters
VALENTINES 2011Issue 9
CREATIVE CRAFTING
Favourite finds from around the crafting communityThis months focus is Easter and Spring
Click on the images to take you to their store
Online StreetMISI
Ring With A FlowerBlue Fish Handmade
pound800
Spring necklace in glassand sterling silver
RosieJo Jewellerypound1275
Easter Eggs CardNaomi Constable
pound250
FOLKSY
Easter rabbit cushionwith choccie eggs
Phoebelinas Treasurespound500
Easter Knitted BagsFluerette
pound300
Small Gorgeous FeltSpring Bouquets
Spare Minute Productionspound2000
WOW THANK YOU
Green And Brown PetalFlower Bracelet
Sprinkles Sparklespound3750 inc pampp
Handmade Pink Canvas Wall Art(Set of 3)
Craft on Canvaspound3900 inc pampp
Blue Easter ChickDharmapaintings
pound12 20 inc pampp
All prices correct at the time of publication
Favourite finds from around the crafting communityThis months focus is Easter and Spring
Click on the images to take you to their store
Best PicksUGLY BE GONE
Handpainted DottyDolly Pegs
Ticketty Boopound650
Quirky Motifs ShopperRachael Taylor
pound1500
Collette the Cow BibBaby Boutique
pound1100
The Cutie Pie - recycledpaper butterfly shadow boxThe WingSpan Collection
pound6421
Easter 1 Square PendantHappy Easter Spring Flowers
Miss Gooseberry Pendantspound321
ETSY
RETROEasterplastic springfling daisy clip-on earringsamber brown makes art
pound208ARTFIRE
Easter Egg Mini Cards 2x2 6Peculiar Parchment
pound170
Spring Chicks - Little FusedGlass Dish - Easter Gift
First Light Glasspound926
4 Chocolate Easter ParadeBunny Lollipops extra large
Candy Cottagepound741
All prices correct at the time of publication
What you will need3 x 10 inch lengths of purple Cylon cord10mm silver plated lobster clasp and clasp tag2 x silver plated fold over necklace endsApprox 24 Rose Quartz gemstone chip beads(holes need to be large enough to thread onelength of the cylon cord though)2 x 4mm silver plated jump rings
Rose Quartz is the stone of unconditionalloveIt purifies and opens the heart helping thewearer to love themselves as well as others
Rose Quartz draws off negative energy andhelps release unexpressed emotions
Encourages self forgiveness and acceptanceaids self trust and self worth
I find it easier to use a macrame board for making this type of bracelet as it make it easier tokeep the design neat but its not essential I use a simple board made from a cork notice boardand pins I also use nylon nosed pliers to fold over the necklace ends as I find metal pliers oftenleave marks but again they arent essential
Step 2 Thread a chip bead onto each of the outer lengths ofcord
Step 3 Cross the outer cordsover the middle one as youwould in a braid Then braid thecords again
Step 1 Attach one of thenecklace ends to one end ofthe three lengths of CyloncordYou can then use the hole inthe end to attach the braceletto your board
Make a Rose Quartz Bracelet
Step 6 Attach the secondnecklace end to the three cordwithout cutting them as it makesit easier The ends can then betrimmed with a craft knife orsharp scissors
Step 7 Using the jump ringsattach the clasp to one end ofthe bracelet and the clasp tagto the other
Step 4 Thread two chip beadson to the new outer lengths ofcord and braid as in the previousstep
Step 5 Repeat step three and four untilthe bracelet reaches seven inchesor your desired length
(The clasp section will measureapproximately one inch)
If the cord ends become frayed they canbe fixed with a little super glue
Step 8 And there you areOne finished rose quartzbracelet
Would you like to share a craft project with Creative Crafting
Let us know what project you would like toshare with us
Anything from jewellery knitting and crochetcrafts paper crafts or a craft you feel hasbeen forgotten about
Email thecrystalladycreative-craftingcom
Written by Elderberry Artshttpwwwelderberryartscouk
To those who are not yet aware Prince William and Kate Middleton will tie the knot this month onFriday 29th April in a quiet little ceremony at Westminster Abbey To some this may mean getting aday off to celebrate the nuptials or actually attend the whole affair To others like myself who areself-employed there will be no day off and hence little difference from a normal day but we can stillbe happy for the two love birds entering a state of marital bliss for the first timeIn these uncertain economic times I am not sure how the Royal Wedding will affect the economyhow much money will people want to spend Will this mean street parties like those that dominatemany peoplersquos memories from Prince Charles and Dianarsquos wedding back in 1981 Will there be arush to purchase ridiculously crass lsquosouvenirrsquo mugs plates tea towels or will the market just not bethere at all with all the unsold Royal Wedding goods in the pound shops by JuneThe handmade and crafting sector needs to be aware of the sales potential created by this Royalevent and so products should be made available to support the celebrations and possibly make thecountry feel good about itself again Maybe a lovely warm spring day in April will be good for thecountry and make it forget its economic woes for a few hoursWe asked a number of our sellers about their experience of the last big Royal Wedding (Charles andDiana) and what they are going to do this time to celebrate There were mixed feelings ndash manywere too young to remember much about the 1981 event and even though I remember a day offfrom school I cannot remember any street parties or spontaneous Mardi Gras This time around Ithink money will be a big factor and most people will not stray too far from a bit of home baking inred white and blue and also a show of patriotic bunting Union Jacks are quite the lsquoin thingrsquo at themoment for interior design and so a patriotic statement may double as being hip and trendy
Kim Lampard of Zigzag Bunting thinks a great way tocelebrate the Royal Wedding is to make your own buntingShe suggests pulling together a pile of fabrics that you nolonger need but that hold cherished memories for you forexample your daughterrsquos first cute dress a tea-towel youbought on a special holiday an old bedspread made by your
Granny Even if the items are damaged so cannot be passed on to others there is always a littlecorner that can be cut up into a triangle to make a bunting flag Mix a few of these together and ifyou have enough for a colour scheme (such as red white and blue) fine but donrsquot worry the flagsdonrsquot even need to be the same size Sometimes a shabby chic lsquoMix and Matchrsquo approach turns outto be perfect Sew the fabric triangles onto a piece of ribbon or bias tape and you will have awonderful string of bunting to decorate for the special day You and your family will remember notonly the Royal Wedding when you bring out that bunting but have extra glimpses of their past inthe fabrics Definitely a memento to cherish
Gaye Weekes of A amp V Designs now lives in Snowdonia North Wales and onlyan hour away from Anglesey where the Royal couple will begin their marriedlife She has no doubt had that His Highness has been hovering over theirremote valley in his helicopter over recent months Gaye plans to be flying redwhite and green Welsh bunting for the wedding Her bunting is made fromvintage fabric from the 1950s and 1960s - a cotton heavy woven greenand cream floral and a jolly red and white gingham She adds ldquo
rdquo
This article was written by
from
httpwwwwowthankyoucouk
Karine Ait-Mohamed of The Pink Fairy Cake isFrench but now lives in England She says ldquo
rdquo In the spirit of the occasion Karinehas produced a product that combines both England and France into the celebration Shehas produced sets of two Union Jack hearts filled with lavender from Chateau la Gabelle inHaute-Provence
Lisa MacDonald of LisaMollyMacDonaldis quite enthusiastic about the weddingand getting caught up in the glamour of the
occasion ldquo
rdquo
Lou Carswell of Loubie Jewels has some prettyfantastic red white and blue jewellery which wouldbe suitable for a Royal wedding celebration She told
us ldquo
rdquo
So what can we gather from these observations It will be a nice idea to celebrate the RoyalWedding If we apply a little lsquowartimersquo austerity (handmade lends itself to recycling andupcycling) we shouldnrsquot have to spend a fortune We can step back from commercialism andbe involved in a low key but meaningful way that will make the event more memorable for itssimplicity and just a little thrift God Bless William and Kate
Tell us about yourself
My name is Sandra Ritchie I live in Cleethorpes UK with my husbandJason my 10 year old daughter Alisha my 2 year old son Alfred andour dog Dumbledore Primarily I am a housewife but in my sparetime I make jewellery of all kinds from beaded pieces to metal workbut mainly I make custom-made bespoke precious metal jewellery
When did your crafting begin and why
Many years ago I studied Jewellery and Metal Art at college andover time Ive collected the tools I needed but never got round tosetting up a workroom until 2009 when my Husband pointed outthat our Utility Room would be perfect for me to set up as aworkroom to start making jewellery again It seemed ideal Ialready had people interested in me making them some jewelleryand it meant I could stay at home and look after the children as wellas try to establish a name for myself as a Jewellery designermaker
What was the first item you made to sell online
The first item I made to sell whilst not specifically to sell online was asilver octopus necklace commissioned by an acquaintance of mine thathad seen the silver octopus necklace that I made for myself whilst atcollege and wanted one like it She has since purchased the silver andcopper entwined Dragon necklace and a commissioned silver Dragonand is back on my list for another piece to be made My number onefan I think
What is your biggest crafting achievement and why
I love all the pieces Ive created especially my Custom work but myfavourite piece of all is the Greenman necklace I was approached tomake something as a surprise for someone and was basically giventhe opportunity to produce something different to my usual pieces Ilove making pieces that are based on peoples ideas of what theywant that is really special but the Greenman necklace was mydesign based on what the customer wanted it to represent I had toteach myself etching for the piece as its something Id never learntand Im really pleased with how it worked out
Other than crafting what else do you like to do
I love spending time with my children and family I love baking andcooking too and I suppose I should admit to enjoying the oddrelaxing glass (or bottle) of nice wine when the children are in bed
wwwlittlefairycultcouk
Where would you like to be in 5 years
In 5 years time Id love to be in a better financial position so I canbuy silver and make silver jewellery to sell that isnt just Custom-made Ive started sneaking a few pieces of precious metal jewellerythat are for general sale onto my site
Where does your inspiration come from
My inspiration is usually from the customers themselves They tell mewhat it is they want and I design a piece to reflect that Sometimes theyalter the design slightly to reflect more of how they want it and that isfine For my bead jewellery its usually what beads I have in myworkroom that inspire my beaded pieces I very rarely buy beads for thereason that I have a design idea and usually just buy mixed lots of beadsand work with what I have
What are your favourite materials and why
I really love working with precious metals There is somethinguniquely satisfying about taking a flat sheet of metal and turning itinto a beautiful piece of jewellery Thats why I take pictures of thepieces as I am making them so that other people and the customerwhos item it is can enjoy seeing it progress from a blank piece ofprecious metal into the finished piece
What is favourite shop online that isnrsquot yours and why
Oh my There are so many amazing websites offering beautiful andunique handmade items but I will always take a look at Etsy to see ifthere is anything that catches my eye on there They have such a largevariety of designerssellers making almost everything but the kitchen sink(though I bet if you looked hard enough youd find one on there) Ireally enjoy the little treasuries they do too where you can browse aselection of items that are grouped together by themes
Has any person helped or supported you more than any other
I have had a lot of support from the good friends I have gained on Twitter and of coursemy real life friends have been extremely supportive too but the main reason I actuallysorted out my workroom (or corner of the utility room) was due to my husband insistingthat I start making jewellery again Luckily his insistence and support paid off virtuallystraight away when a friend asked for the octopus necklace I mentioned earlier to bemade
Tell us a random fact about yourself
I have known the sex of each child and whether Id be carrying one or more before I evenconceived them Fairly random but fact nevertheless
Kit includes seed beads 5 x handmade glass beads choker wire x 3 banglewire x 2 ring wire x 3 jewellery pliers beading mat instructions
Makes 8 fabulous and individual pieces of jewellery without the need forfiddly findings books or other money-wasters
Beaded Jewellery Kitpound12Japan Crafts
A coordinating selection of beads plus step-by-step full colour instructions to make your own version of the Jungle Collar design Learn how to work peyote stitch edge it with drops and embellish it with a lush fringe and beaded flowers and leaves Let your beading imagination run wild
Each kit is hand-picked and slightly different so the beads you receive may not be the exact onesshown in the photograph but you can be certain that your necklace will be uniqueThe kit comes carefully packaged in a handy reusable storage box the only things yoursquoll need inaddition are a beading needle a spool of nylon beading thread and some sharp scissors
Beadweaving Kit for Jungle Collar
pound38Lynn Davy
Fairy Earrings Jewellery Making Kit - Ages 7yrs+
pound5Jewellery Making Kits
These single kits are fabulous for all crafty and creative girls They also make great presents for school friends nieces sisters or even grown ups Each kit includes Sterling Silver earwires or studs a small selection of flowers for the skirt a pair of wings a few coloured glass pearls for the heads silver headpin Organza Bag Full set of instructionsSuitable for ages 7 years and up Requires a pair of pliers to finish off - all instructions included
Bracelet Kit - Chunky Swarovski Pearl and Crystal with Toggle Clasp
pound750Wonderstuff Craft Kits
A little kit of bronze Swarovski pearls and Golden Shadow Swarovski crystals silk and toggle clasp
Kit includes 11 x Swarovski 12mm Pearls Colour - Soft Bronze 3 x Swarovski Crystal 8mm Rondelles - Colour - Golden Shadow 8 x Swarovski Crystal 4mmBicones Colour - Light Colorado Topaz 1 x Silver Plated Toggle Bar 1 x Silver plated Toggle RingBracelet length of threading silk Instructions
This kit contains top quality beads to make an exquisite braceletno special tools are needed
Jewellery making kits
from the small crafterWersquove found a selection of wonderful beading kits for allages and experience These are not massed producedsets but offered by the small crafter
This article was created by The Crystal Lady httpwwwmysticearthcouk
This Months
This months lsquoMan of the Monthrsquo is Ade (Adrian)EdmondsonChosen by MegampMillie
This months lsquoLady of the Monthrsquo is GwenStefaniChosen by Claire Pearcy from Elderberry Arts
httpwwwgwenstefanicom
httpwwwunrealitytvcouklets-dance-for-comic-relieflets-dance-for-comic-relief-results-ade-edmondson-and-eighties-super-group-make-next-weeks-final
(Nothing like an April Fools)
This months lsquoBlog of the Month Awardrsquo goes to lsquoItrsquos All Fiddle Fartrsquo
httpitsallfiddlefartblogspotcom
This months lsquoShop of the Month Awardrsquo goes to lsquoJulias DriftwoodFurniturersquo
httpwwwfolksycomshopsseasandview123
ww
wc
reativ
e-cr
afting
co
mw
ww
cr
eative-c
on
nec
tion
snin
gc
om
CREATIVE CRAFTING
Our next issue will be available to read on
1st June 2010If you have missed any of our issues you
can find them to read on our websitewwwcreative-craftingcom
And also on our Social Network Creative Connectionswwwcreative-connectionsningcom
To advertise in Creative Crafting or to submit an article please contact Annaat thecrystalladycreative-craftingcom
AUGUSTSUMMER 2010
Issue 5
By Crafters for Crafters
Check out our
CraftersDirectory
CREATIVE CRAFTING
By Crafters for Crafters
Issue 3
ValentinesMothers Day 2010
HandcraftedWeddingSpecial
Valentine ampMothers Day
Projects
Have youbeen
featured
By Crafters for Crafters
Issue 3ValentinesMothers Day 2010
Handcrafted
Wedding
SpecialValentine amp
Mothers Day
ProjectsHave you
been
featured
By
EASTER 2010
Issue 4
FATHERS DAY 2010
Issue 4
By Crafters for Crafters
Ch
eck out our
Craft
ersDirectory
AUGUSTSUMMER 2
010
Issu
e 5
By Craf
ters fo
r Craf
ters
Chec
k out our
Crafters
Directory
CREATIVE
C
RAFTINGAU
TUM
N H
ALLO
WEE
N 201
0Is
sue
7
CREA
TIVE
CRAF
TIN
G
By Craf
ters f
or C
rafter
s
Chec
k
out our
Craft
ersDirect
ory
An
niv
ersa
ry
Issu
e
Donrsquot forget
All of our links andadverts are fullyclickable
If you would like to embed our magazine into your website blog myspace page etc you can
customise the code to suit your style and size
AUTUMN HALLOWEEN 2010
Issue 7CREATIVE CRAFTING
By Crafters for Crafters
Check out our
CraftersDirectory
Anniversary
Issue
CHRISTMAS 2010
Issue 8
By Crafters for Crafters
FATHERS DAY 2010
Issue 4
By Crafters for Crafters
Check out our
Crafters
Directory
EASTER 2010
Issue 4
By Crafters for Crafters
By Crafters for Crafters
VALENTINES 2011Issue 9
CREATIVE CRAFTING
Favourite finds from around the crafting communityThis months focus is Easter and Spring
Click on the images to take you to their store
Best PicksUGLY BE GONE
Handpainted DottyDolly Pegs
Ticketty Boopound650
Quirky Motifs ShopperRachael Taylor
pound1500
Collette the Cow BibBaby Boutique
pound1100
The Cutie Pie - recycledpaper butterfly shadow boxThe WingSpan Collection
pound6421
Easter 1 Square PendantHappy Easter Spring Flowers
Miss Gooseberry Pendantspound321
ETSY
RETROEasterplastic springfling daisy clip-on earringsamber brown makes art
pound208ARTFIRE
Easter Egg Mini Cards 2x2 6Peculiar Parchment
pound170
Spring Chicks - Little FusedGlass Dish - Easter Gift
First Light Glasspound926
4 Chocolate Easter ParadeBunny Lollipops extra large
Candy Cottagepound741
All prices correct at the time of publication
What you will need3 x 10 inch lengths of purple Cylon cord10mm silver plated lobster clasp and clasp tag2 x silver plated fold over necklace endsApprox 24 Rose Quartz gemstone chip beads(holes need to be large enough to thread onelength of the cylon cord though)2 x 4mm silver plated jump rings
Rose Quartz is the stone of unconditionalloveIt purifies and opens the heart helping thewearer to love themselves as well as others
Rose Quartz draws off negative energy andhelps release unexpressed emotions
Encourages self forgiveness and acceptanceaids self trust and self worth
I find it easier to use a macrame board for making this type of bracelet as it make it easier tokeep the design neat but its not essential I use a simple board made from a cork notice boardand pins I also use nylon nosed pliers to fold over the necklace ends as I find metal pliers oftenleave marks but again they arent essential
Step 2 Thread a chip bead onto each of the outer lengths ofcord
Step 3 Cross the outer cordsover the middle one as youwould in a braid Then braid thecords again
Step 1 Attach one of thenecklace ends to one end ofthe three lengths of CyloncordYou can then use the hole inthe end to attach the braceletto your board
Make a Rose Quartz Bracelet
Step 6 Attach the secondnecklace end to the three cordwithout cutting them as it makesit easier The ends can then betrimmed with a craft knife orsharp scissors
Step 7 Using the jump ringsattach the clasp to one end ofthe bracelet and the clasp tagto the other
Step 4 Thread two chip beadson to the new outer lengths ofcord and braid as in the previousstep
Step 5 Repeat step three and four untilthe bracelet reaches seven inchesor your desired length
(The clasp section will measureapproximately one inch)
If the cord ends become frayed they canbe fixed with a little super glue
Step 8 And there you areOne finished rose quartzbracelet
Would you like to share a craft project with Creative Crafting
Let us know what project you would like toshare with us
Anything from jewellery knitting and crochetcrafts paper crafts or a craft you feel hasbeen forgotten about
Email thecrystalladycreative-craftingcom
Written by Elderberry Artshttpwwwelderberryartscouk
To those who are not yet aware Prince William and Kate Middleton will tie the knot this month onFriday 29th April in a quiet little ceremony at Westminster Abbey To some this may mean getting aday off to celebrate the nuptials or actually attend the whole affair To others like myself who areself-employed there will be no day off and hence little difference from a normal day but we can stillbe happy for the two love birds entering a state of marital bliss for the first timeIn these uncertain economic times I am not sure how the Royal Wedding will affect the economyhow much money will people want to spend Will this mean street parties like those that dominatemany peoplersquos memories from Prince Charles and Dianarsquos wedding back in 1981 Will there be arush to purchase ridiculously crass lsquosouvenirrsquo mugs plates tea towels or will the market just not bethere at all with all the unsold Royal Wedding goods in the pound shops by JuneThe handmade and crafting sector needs to be aware of the sales potential created by this Royalevent and so products should be made available to support the celebrations and possibly make thecountry feel good about itself again Maybe a lovely warm spring day in April will be good for thecountry and make it forget its economic woes for a few hoursWe asked a number of our sellers about their experience of the last big Royal Wedding (Charles andDiana) and what they are going to do this time to celebrate There were mixed feelings ndash manywere too young to remember much about the 1981 event and even though I remember a day offfrom school I cannot remember any street parties or spontaneous Mardi Gras This time around Ithink money will be a big factor and most people will not stray too far from a bit of home baking inred white and blue and also a show of patriotic bunting Union Jacks are quite the lsquoin thingrsquo at themoment for interior design and so a patriotic statement may double as being hip and trendy
Kim Lampard of Zigzag Bunting thinks a great way tocelebrate the Royal Wedding is to make your own buntingShe suggests pulling together a pile of fabrics that you nolonger need but that hold cherished memories for you forexample your daughterrsquos first cute dress a tea-towel youbought on a special holiday an old bedspread made by your
Granny Even if the items are damaged so cannot be passed on to others there is always a littlecorner that can be cut up into a triangle to make a bunting flag Mix a few of these together and ifyou have enough for a colour scheme (such as red white and blue) fine but donrsquot worry the flagsdonrsquot even need to be the same size Sometimes a shabby chic lsquoMix and Matchrsquo approach turns outto be perfect Sew the fabric triangles onto a piece of ribbon or bias tape and you will have awonderful string of bunting to decorate for the special day You and your family will remember notonly the Royal Wedding when you bring out that bunting but have extra glimpses of their past inthe fabrics Definitely a memento to cherish
Gaye Weekes of A amp V Designs now lives in Snowdonia North Wales and onlyan hour away from Anglesey where the Royal couple will begin their marriedlife She has no doubt had that His Highness has been hovering over theirremote valley in his helicopter over recent months Gaye plans to be flying redwhite and green Welsh bunting for the wedding Her bunting is made fromvintage fabric from the 1950s and 1960s - a cotton heavy woven greenand cream floral and a jolly red and white gingham She adds ldquo
rdquo
This article was written by
from
httpwwwwowthankyoucouk
Karine Ait-Mohamed of The Pink Fairy Cake isFrench but now lives in England She says ldquo
rdquo In the spirit of the occasion Karinehas produced a product that combines both England and France into the celebration Shehas produced sets of two Union Jack hearts filled with lavender from Chateau la Gabelle inHaute-Provence
Lisa MacDonald of LisaMollyMacDonaldis quite enthusiastic about the weddingand getting caught up in the glamour of the
occasion ldquo
rdquo
Lou Carswell of Loubie Jewels has some prettyfantastic red white and blue jewellery which wouldbe suitable for a Royal wedding celebration She told
us ldquo
rdquo
So what can we gather from these observations It will be a nice idea to celebrate the RoyalWedding If we apply a little lsquowartimersquo austerity (handmade lends itself to recycling andupcycling) we shouldnrsquot have to spend a fortune We can step back from commercialism andbe involved in a low key but meaningful way that will make the event more memorable for itssimplicity and just a little thrift God Bless William and Kate
Tell us about yourself
My name is Sandra Ritchie I live in Cleethorpes UK with my husbandJason my 10 year old daughter Alisha my 2 year old son Alfred andour dog Dumbledore Primarily I am a housewife but in my sparetime I make jewellery of all kinds from beaded pieces to metal workbut mainly I make custom-made bespoke precious metal jewellery
When did your crafting begin and why
Many years ago I studied Jewellery and Metal Art at college andover time Ive collected the tools I needed but never got round tosetting up a workroom until 2009 when my Husband pointed outthat our Utility Room would be perfect for me to set up as aworkroom to start making jewellery again It seemed ideal Ialready had people interested in me making them some jewelleryand it meant I could stay at home and look after the children as wellas try to establish a name for myself as a Jewellery designermaker
What was the first item you made to sell online
The first item I made to sell whilst not specifically to sell online was asilver octopus necklace commissioned by an acquaintance of mine thathad seen the silver octopus necklace that I made for myself whilst atcollege and wanted one like it She has since purchased the silver andcopper entwined Dragon necklace and a commissioned silver Dragonand is back on my list for another piece to be made My number onefan I think
What is your biggest crafting achievement and why
I love all the pieces Ive created especially my Custom work but myfavourite piece of all is the Greenman necklace I was approached tomake something as a surprise for someone and was basically giventhe opportunity to produce something different to my usual pieces Ilove making pieces that are based on peoples ideas of what theywant that is really special but the Greenman necklace was mydesign based on what the customer wanted it to represent I had toteach myself etching for the piece as its something Id never learntand Im really pleased with how it worked out
Other than crafting what else do you like to do
I love spending time with my children and family I love baking andcooking too and I suppose I should admit to enjoying the oddrelaxing glass (or bottle) of nice wine when the children are in bed
wwwlittlefairycultcouk
Where would you like to be in 5 years
In 5 years time Id love to be in a better financial position so I canbuy silver and make silver jewellery to sell that isnt just Custom-made Ive started sneaking a few pieces of precious metal jewellerythat are for general sale onto my site
Where does your inspiration come from
My inspiration is usually from the customers themselves They tell mewhat it is they want and I design a piece to reflect that Sometimes theyalter the design slightly to reflect more of how they want it and that isfine For my bead jewellery its usually what beads I have in myworkroom that inspire my beaded pieces I very rarely buy beads for thereason that I have a design idea and usually just buy mixed lots of beadsand work with what I have
What are your favourite materials and why
I really love working with precious metals There is somethinguniquely satisfying about taking a flat sheet of metal and turning itinto a beautiful piece of jewellery Thats why I take pictures of thepieces as I am making them so that other people and the customerwhos item it is can enjoy seeing it progress from a blank piece ofprecious metal into the finished piece
What is favourite shop online that isnrsquot yours and why
Oh my There are so many amazing websites offering beautiful andunique handmade items but I will always take a look at Etsy to see ifthere is anything that catches my eye on there They have such a largevariety of designerssellers making almost everything but the kitchen sink(though I bet if you looked hard enough youd find one on there) Ireally enjoy the little treasuries they do too where you can browse aselection of items that are grouped together by themes
Has any person helped or supported you more than any other
I have had a lot of support from the good friends I have gained on Twitter and of coursemy real life friends have been extremely supportive too but the main reason I actuallysorted out my workroom (or corner of the utility room) was due to my husband insistingthat I start making jewellery again Luckily his insistence and support paid off virtuallystraight away when a friend asked for the octopus necklace I mentioned earlier to bemade
Tell us a random fact about yourself
I have known the sex of each child and whether Id be carrying one or more before I evenconceived them Fairly random but fact nevertheless
Kit includes seed beads 5 x handmade glass beads choker wire x 3 banglewire x 2 ring wire x 3 jewellery pliers beading mat instructions
Makes 8 fabulous and individual pieces of jewellery without the need forfiddly findings books or other money-wasters
Beaded Jewellery Kitpound12Japan Crafts
A coordinating selection of beads plus step-by-step full colour instructions to make your own version of the Jungle Collar design Learn how to work peyote stitch edge it with drops and embellish it with a lush fringe and beaded flowers and leaves Let your beading imagination run wild
Each kit is hand-picked and slightly different so the beads you receive may not be the exact onesshown in the photograph but you can be certain that your necklace will be uniqueThe kit comes carefully packaged in a handy reusable storage box the only things yoursquoll need inaddition are a beading needle a spool of nylon beading thread and some sharp scissors
Beadweaving Kit for Jungle Collar
pound38Lynn Davy
Fairy Earrings Jewellery Making Kit - Ages 7yrs+
pound5Jewellery Making Kits
These single kits are fabulous for all crafty and creative girls They also make great presents for school friends nieces sisters or even grown ups Each kit includes Sterling Silver earwires or studs a small selection of flowers for the skirt a pair of wings a few coloured glass pearls for the heads silver headpin Organza Bag Full set of instructionsSuitable for ages 7 years and up Requires a pair of pliers to finish off - all instructions included
Bracelet Kit - Chunky Swarovski Pearl and Crystal with Toggle Clasp
pound750Wonderstuff Craft Kits
A little kit of bronze Swarovski pearls and Golden Shadow Swarovski crystals silk and toggle clasp
Kit includes 11 x Swarovski 12mm Pearls Colour - Soft Bronze 3 x Swarovski Crystal 8mm Rondelles - Colour - Golden Shadow 8 x Swarovski Crystal 4mmBicones Colour - Light Colorado Topaz 1 x Silver Plated Toggle Bar 1 x Silver plated Toggle RingBracelet length of threading silk Instructions
This kit contains top quality beads to make an exquisite braceletno special tools are needed
Jewellery making kits
from the small crafterWersquove found a selection of wonderful beading kits for allages and experience These are not massed producedsets but offered by the small crafter
This article was created by The Crystal Lady httpwwwmysticearthcouk
This Months
This months lsquoMan of the Monthrsquo is Ade (Adrian)EdmondsonChosen by MegampMillie
This months lsquoLady of the Monthrsquo is GwenStefaniChosen by Claire Pearcy from Elderberry Arts
httpwwwgwenstefanicom
httpwwwunrealitytvcouklets-dance-for-comic-relieflets-dance-for-comic-relief-results-ade-edmondson-and-eighties-super-group-make-next-weeks-final
(Nothing like an April Fools)
This months lsquoBlog of the Month Awardrsquo goes to lsquoItrsquos All Fiddle Fartrsquo
httpitsallfiddlefartblogspotcom
This months lsquoShop of the Month Awardrsquo goes to lsquoJulias DriftwoodFurniturersquo
httpwwwfolksycomshopsseasandview123
ww
wc
reativ
e-cr
afting
co
mw
ww
cr
eative-c
on
nec
tion
snin
gc
om
CREATIVE CRAFTING
Our next issue will be available to read on
1st June 2010If you have missed any of our issues you
can find them to read on our websitewwwcreative-craftingcom
And also on our Social Network Creative Connectionswwwcreative-connectionsningcom
To advertise in Creative Crafting or to submit an article please contact Annaat thecrystalladycreative-craftingcom
AUGUSTSUMMER 2010
Issue 5
By Crafters for Crafters
Check out our
CraftersDirectory
CREATIVE CRAFTING
By Crafters for Crafters
Issue 3
ValentinesMothers Day 2010
HandcraftedWeddingSpecial
Valentine ampMothers Day
Projects
Have youbeen
featured
By Crafters for Crafters
Issue 3ValentinesMothers Day 2010
Handcrafted
Wedding
SpecialValentine amp
Mothers Day
ProjectsHave you
been
featured
By
EASTER 2010
Issue 4
FATHERS DAY 2010
Issue 4
By Crafters for Crafters
Ch
eck out our
Craft
ersDirectory
AUGUSTSUMMER 2
010
Issu
e 5
By Craf
ters fo
r Craf
ters
Chec
k out our
Crafters
Directory
CREATIVE
C
RAFTINGAU
TUM
N H
ALLO
WEE
N 201
0Is
sue
7
CREA
TIVE
CRAF
TIN
G
By Craf
ters f
or C
rafter
s
Chec
k
out our
Craft
ersDirect
ory
An
niv
ersa
ry
Issu
e
Donrsquot forget
All of our links andadverts are fullyclickable
If you would like to embed our magazine into your website blog myspace page etc you can
customise the code to suit your style and size
AUTUMN HALLOWEEN 2010
Issue 7CREATIVE CRAFTING
By Crafters for Crafters
Check out our
CraftersDirectory
Anniversary
Issue
CHRISTMAS 2010
Issue 8
By Crafters for Crafters
FATHERS DAY 2010
Issue 4
By Crafters for Crafters
Check out our
Crafters
Directory
EASTER 2010
Issue 4
By Crafters for Crafters
By Crafters for Crafters
VALENTINES 2011Issue 9
CREATIVE CRAFTING
What you will need3 x 10 inch lengths of purple Cylon cord10mm silver plated lobster clasp and clasp tag2 x silver plated fold over necklace endsApprox 24 Rose Quartz gemstone chip beads(holes need to be large enough to thread onelength of the cylon cord though)2 x 4mm silver plated jump rings
Rose Quartz is the stone of unconditionalloveIt purifies and opens the heart helping thewearer to love themselves as well as others
Rose Quartz draws off negative energy andhelps release unexpressed emotions
Encourages self forgiveness and acceptanceaids self trust and self worth
I find it easier to use a macrame board for making this type of bracelet as it make it easier tokeep the design neat but its not essential I use a simple board made from a cork notice boardand pins I also use nylon nosed pliers to fold over the necklace ends as I find metal pliers oftenleave marks but again they arent essential
Step 2 Thread a chip bead onto each of the outer lengths ofcord
Step 3 Cross the outer cordsover the middle one as youwould in a braid Then braid thecords again
Step 1 Attach one of thenecklace ends to one end ofthe three lengths of CyloncordYou can then use the hole inthe end to attach the braceletto your board
Make a Rose Quartz Bracelet
Step 6 Attach the secondnecklace end to the three cordwithout cutting them as it makesit easier The ends can then betrimmed with a craft knife orsharp scissors
Step 7 Using the jump ringsattach the clasp to one end ofthe bracelet and the clasp tagto the other
Step 4 Thread two chip beadson to the new outer lengths ofcord and braid as in the previousstep
Step 5 Repeat step three and four untilthe bracelet reaches seven inchesor your desired length
(The clasp section will measureapproximately one inch)
If the cord ends become frayed they canbe fixed with a little super glue
Step 8 And there you areOne finished rose quartzbracelet
Would you like to share a craft project with Creative Crafting
Let us know what project you would like toshare with us
Anything from jewellery knitting and crochetcrafts paper crafts or a craft you feel hasbeen forgotten about
Email thecrystalladycreative-craftingcom
Written by Elderberry Artshttpwwwelderberryartscouk
To those who are not yet aware Prince William and Kate Middleton will tie the knot this month onFriday 29th April in a quiet little ceremony at Westminster Abbey To some this may mean getting aday off to celebrate the nuptials or actually attend the whole affair To others like myself who areself-employed there will be no day off and hence little difference from a normal day but we can stillbe happy for the two love birds entering a state of marital bliss for the first timeIn these uncertain economic times I am not sure how the Royal Wedding will affect the economyhow much money will people want to spend Will this mean street parties like those that dominatemany peoplersquos memories from Prince Charles and Dianarsquos wedding back in 1981 Will there be arush to purchase ridiculously crass lsquosouvenirrsquo mugs plates tea towels or will the market just not bethere at all with all the unsold Royal Wedding goods in the pound shops by JuneThe handmade and crafting sector needs to be aware of the sales potential created by this Royalevent and so products should be made available to support the celebrations and possibly make thecountry feel good about itself again Maybe a lovely warm spring day in April will be good for thecountry and make it forget its economic woes for a few hoursWe asked a number of our sellers about their experience of the last big Royal Wedding (Charles andDiana) and what they are going to do this time to celebrate There were mixed feelings ndash manywere too young to remember much about the 1981 event and even though I remember a day offfrom school I cannot remember any street parties or spontaneous Mardi Gras This time around Ithink money will be a big factor and most people will not stray too far from a bit of home baking inred white and blue and also a show of patriotic bunting Union Jacks are quite the lsquoin thingrsquo at themoment for interior design and so a patriotic statement may double as being hip and trendy
Kim Lampard of Zigzag Bunting thinks a great way tocelebrate the Royal Wedding is to make your own buntingShe suggests pulling together a pile of fabrics that you nolonger need but that hold cherished memories for you forexample your daughterrsquos first cute dress a tea-towel youbought on a special holiday an old bedspread made by your
Granny Even if the items are damaged so cannot be passed on to others there is always a littlecorner that can be cut up into a triangle to make a bunting flag Mix a few of these together and ifyou have enough for a colour scheme (such as red white and blue) fine but donrsquot worry the flagsdonrsquot even need to be the same size Sometimes a shabby chic lsquoMix and Matchrsquo approach turns outto be perfect Sew the fabric triangles onto a piece of ribbon or bias tape and you will have awonderful string of bunting to decorate for the special day You and your family will remember notonly the Royal Wedding when you bring out that bunting but have extra glimpses of their past inthe fabrics Definitely a memento to cherish
Gaye Weekes of A amp V Designs now lives in Snowdonia North Wales and onlyan hour away from Anglesey where the Royal couple will begin their marriedlife She has no doubt had that His Highness has been hovering over theirremote valley in his helicopter over recent months Gaye plans to be flying redwhite and green Welsh bunting for the wedding Her bunting is made fromvintage fabric from the 1950s and 1960s - a cotton heavy woven greenand cream floral and a jolly red and white gingham She adds ldquo
rdquo
This article was written by
from
httpwwwwowthankyoucouk
Karine Ait-Mohamed of The Pink Fairy Cake isFrench but now lives in England She says ldquo
rdquo In the spirit of the occasion Karinehas produced a product that combines both England and France into the celebration Shehas produced sets of two Union Jack hearts filled with lavender from Chateau la Gabelle inHaute-Provence
Lisa MacDonald of LisaMollyMacDonaldis quite enthusiastic about the weddingand getting caught up in the glamour of the
occasion ldquo
rdquo
Lou Carswell of Loubie Jewels has some prettyfantastic red white and blue jewellery which wouldbe suitable for a Royal wedding celebration She told
us ldquo
rdquo
So what can we gather from these observations It will be a nice idea to celebrate the RoyalWedding If we apply a little lsquowartimersquo austerity (handmade lends itself to recycling andupcycling) we shouldnrsquot have to spend a fortune We can step back from commercialism andbe involved in a low key but meaningful way that will make the event more memorable for itssimplicity and just a little thrift God Bless William and Kate
Tell us about yourself
My name is Sandra Ritchie I live in Cleethorpes UK with my husbandJason my 10 year old daughter Alisha my 2 year old son Alfred andour dog Dumbledore Primarily I am a housewife but in my sparetime I make jewellery of all kinds from beaded pieces to metal workbut mainly I make custom-made bespoke precious metal jewellery
When did your crafting begin and why
Many years ago I studied Jewellery and Metal Art at college andover time Ive collected the tools I needed but never got round tosetting up a workroom until 2009 when my Husband pointed outthat our Utility Room would be perfect for me to set up as aworkroom to start making jewellery again It seemed ideal Ialready had people interested in me making them some jewelleryand it meant I could stay at home and look after the children as wellas try to establish a name for myself as a Jewellery designermaker
What was the first item you made to sell online
The first item I made to sell whilst not specifically to sell online was asilver octopus necklace commissioned by an acquaintance of mine thathad seen the silver octopus necklace that I made for myself whilst atcollege and wanted one like it She has since purchased the silver andcopper entwined Dragon necklace and a commissioned silver Dragonand is back on my list for another piece to be made My number onefan I think
What is your biggest crafting achievement and why
I love all the pieces Ive created especially my Custom work but myfavourite piece of all is the Greenman necklace I was approached tomake something as a surprise for someone and was basically giventhe opportunity to produce something different to my usual pieces Ilove making pieces that are based on peoples ideas of what theywant that is really special but the Greenman necklace was mydesign based on what the customer wanted it to represent I had toteach myself etching for the piece as its something Id never learntand Im really pleased with how it worked out
Other than crafting what else do you like to do
I love spending time with my children and family I love baking andcooking too and I suppose I should admit to enjoying the oddrelaxing glass (or bottle) of nice wine when the children are in bed
wwwlittlefairycultcouk
Where would you like to be in 5 years
In 5 years time Id love to be in a better financial position so I canbuy silver and make silver jewellery to sell that isnt just Custom-made Ive started sneaking a few pieces of precious metal jewellerythat are for general sale onto my site
Where does your inspiration come from
My inspiration is usually from the customers themselves They tell mewhat it is they want and I design a piece to reflect that Sometimes theyalter the design slightly to reflect more of how they want it and that isfine For my bead jewellery its usually what beads I have in myworkroom that inspire my beaded pieces I very rarely buy beads for thereason that I have a design idea and usually just buy mixed lots of beadsand work with what I have
What are your favourite materials and why
I really love working with precious metals There is somethinguniquely satisfying about taking a flat sheet of metal and turning itinto a beautiful piece of jewellery Thats why I take pictures of thepieces as I am making them so that other people and the customerwhos item it is can enjoy seeing it progress from a blank piece ofprecious metal into the finished piece
What is favourite shop online that isnrsquot yours and why
Oh my There are so many amazing websites offering beautiful andunique handmade items but I will always take a look at Etsy to see ifthere is anything that catches my eye on there They have such a largevariety of designerssellers making almost everything but the kitchen sink(though I bet if you looked hard enough youd find one on there) Ireally enjoy the little treasuries they do too where you can browse aselection of items that are grouped together by themes
Has any person helped or supported you more than any other
I have had a lot of support from the good friends I have gained on Twitter and of coursemy real life friends have been extremely supportive too but the main reason I actuallysorted out my workroom (or corner of the utility room) was due to my husband insistingthat I start making jewellery again Luckily his insistence and support paid off virtuallystraight away when a friend asked for the octopus necklace I mentioned earlier to bemade
Tell us a random fact about yourself
I have known the sex of each child and whether Id be carrying one or more before I evenconceived them Fairly random but fact nevertheless
Kit includes seed beads 5 x handmade glass beads choker wire x 3 banglewire x 2 ring wire x 3 jewellery pliers beading mat instructions
Makes 8 fabulous and individual pieces of jewellery without the need forfiddly findings books or other money-wasters
Beaded Jewellery Kitpound12Japan Crafts
A coordinating selection of beads plus step-by-step full colour instructions to make your own version of the Jungle Collar design Learn how to work peyote stitch edge it with drops and embellish it with a lush fringe and beaded flowers and leaves Let your beading imagination run wild
Each kit is hand-picked and slightly different so the beads you receive may not be the exact onesshown in the photograph but you can be certain that your necklace will be uniqueThe kit comes carefully packaged in a handy reusable storage box the only things yoursquoll need inaddition are a beading needle a spool of nylon beading thread and some sharp scissors
Beadweaving Kit for Jungle Collar
pound38Lynn Davy
Fairy Earrings Jewellery Making Kit - Ages 7yrs+
pound5Jewellery Making Kits
These single kits are fabulous for all crafty and creative girls They also make great presents for school friends nieces sisters or even grown ups Each kit includes Sterling Silver earwires or studs a small selection of flowers for the skirt a pair of wings a few coloured glass pearls for the heads silver headpin Organza Bag Full set of instructionsSuitable for ages 7 years and up Requires a pair of pliers to finish off - all instructions included
Bracelet Kit - Chunky Swarovski Pearl and Crystal with Toggle Clasp
pound750Wonderstuff Craft Kits
A little kit of bronze Swarovski pearls and Golden Shadow Swarovski crystals silk and toggle clasp
Kit includes 11 x Swarovski 12mm Pearls Colour - Soft Bronze 3 x Swarovski Crystal 8mm Rondelles - Colour - Golden Shadow 8 x Swarovski Crystal 4mmBicones Colour - Light Colorado Topaz 1 x Silver Plated Toggle Bar 1 x Silver plated Toggle RingBracelet length of threading silk Instructions
This kit contains top quality beads to make an exquisite braceletno special tools are needed
Jewellery making kits
from the small crafterWersquove found a selection of wonderful beading kits for allages and experience These are not massed producedsets but offered by the small crafter
This article was created by The Crystal Lady httpwwwmysticearthcouk
This Months
This months lsquoMan of the Monthrsquo is Ade (Adrian)EdmondsonChosen by MegampMillie
This months lsquoLady of the Monthrsquo is GwenStefaniChosen by Claire Pearcy from Elderberry Arts
httpwwwgwenstefanicom
httpwwwunrealitytvcouklets-dance-for-comic-relieflets-dance-for-comic-relief-results-ade-edmondson-and-eighties-super-group-make-next-weeks-final
(Nothing like an April Fools)
This months lsquoBlog of the Month Awardrsquo goes to lsquoItrsquos All Fiddle Fartrsquo
httpitsallfiddlefartblogspotcom
This months lsquoShop of the Month Awardrsquo goes to lsquoJulias DriftwoodFurniturersquo
httpwwwfolksycomshopsseasandview123
ww
wc
reativ
e-cr
afting
co
mw
ww
cr
eative-c
on
nec
tion
snin
gc
om
CREATIVE CRAFTING
Our next issue will be available to read on
1st June 2010If you have missed any of our issues you
can find them to read on our websitewwwcreative-craftingcom
And also on our Social Network Creative Connectionswwwcreative-connectionsningcom
To advertise in Creative Crafting or to submit an article please contact Annaat thecrystalladycreative-craftingcom
AUGUSTSUMMER 2010
Issue 5
By Crafters for Crafters
Check out our
CraftersDirectory
CREATIVE CRAFTING
By Crafters for Crafters
Issue 3
ValentinesMothers Day 2010
HandcraftedWeddingSpecial
Valentine ampMothers Day
Projects
Have youbeen
featured
By Crafters for Crafters
Issue 3ValentinesMothers Day 2010
Handcrafted
Wedding
SpecialValentine amp
Mothers Day
ProjectsHave you
been
featured
By
EASTER 2010
Issue 4
FATHERS DAY 2010
Issue 4
By Crafters for Crafters
Ch
eck out our
Craft
ersDirectory
AUGUSTSUMMER 2
010
Issu
e 5
By Craf
ters fo
r Craf
ters
Chec
k out our
Crafters
Directory
CREATIVE
C
RAFTINGAU
TUM
N H
ALLO
WEE
N 201
0Is
sue
7
CREA
TIVE
CRAF
TIN
G
By Craf
ters f
or C
rafter
s
Chec
k
out our
Craft
ersDirect
ory
An
niv
ersa
ry
Issu
e
Donrsquot forget
All of our links andadverts are fullyclickable
If you would like to embed our magazine into your website blog myspace page etc you can
customise the code to suit your style and size
AUTUMN HALLOWEEN 2010
Issue 7CREATIVE CRAFTING
By Crafters for Crafters
Check out our
CraftersDirectory
Anniversary
Issue
CHRISTMAS 2010
Issue 8
By Crafters for Crafters
FATHERS DAY 2010
Issue 4
By Crafters for Crafters
Check out our
Crafters
Directory
EASTER 2010
Issue 4
By Crafters for Crafters
By Crafters for Crafters
VALENTINES 2011Issue 9
CREATIVE CRAFTING
Step 6 Attach the secondnecklace end to the three cordwithout cutting them as it makesit easier The ends can then betrimmed with a craft knife orsharp scissors
Step 7 Using the jump ringsattach the clasp to one end ofthe bracelet and the clasp tagto the other
Step 4 Thread two chip beadson to the new outer lengths ofcord and braid as in the previousstep
Step 5 Repeat step three and four untilthe bracelet reaches seven inchesor your desired length
(The clasp section will measureapproximately one inch)
If the cord ends become frayed they canbe fixed with a little super glue
Step 8 And there you areOne finished rose quartzbracelet
Would you like to share a craft project with Creative Crafting
Let us know what project you would like toshare with us
Anything from jewellery knitting and crochetcrafts paper crafts or a craft you feel hasbeen forgotten about
Email thecrystalladycreative-craftingcom
Written by Elderberry Artshttpwwwelderberryartscouk
To those who are not yet aware Prince William and Kate Middleton will tie the knot this month onFriday 29th April in a quiet little ceremony at Westminster Abbey To some this may mean getting aday off to celebrate the nuptials or actually attend the whole affair To others like myself who areself-employed there will be no day off and hence little difference from a normal day but we can stillbe happy for the two love birds entering a state of marital bliss for the first timeIn these uncertain economic times I am not sure how the Royal Wedding will affect the economyhow much money will people want to spend Will this mean street parties like those that dominatemany peoplersquos memories from Prince Charles and Dianarsquos wedding back in 1981 Will there be arush to purchase ridiculously crass lsquosouvenirrsquo mugs plates tea towels or will the market just not bethere at all with all the unsold Royal Wedding goods in the pound shops by JuneThe handmade and crafting sector needs to be aware of the sales potential created by this Royalevent and so products should be made available to support the celebrations and possibly make thecountry feel good about itself again Maybe a lovely warm spring day in April will be good for thecountry and make it forget its economic woes for a few hoursWe asked a number of our sellers about their experience of the last big Royal Wedding (Charles andDiana) and what they are going to do this time to celebrate There were mixed feelings ndash manywere too young to remember much about the 1981 event and even though I remember a day offfrom school I cannot remember any street parties or spontaneous Mardi Gras This time around Ithink money will be a big factor and most people will not stray too far from a bit of home baking inred white and blue and also a show of patriotic bunting Union Jacks are quite the lsquoin thingrsquo at themoment for interior design and so a patriotic statement may double as being hip and trendy
Kim Lampard of Zigzag Bunting thinks a great way tocelebrate the Royal Wedding is to make your own buntingShe suggests pulling together a pile of fabrics that you nolonger need but that hold cherished memories for you forexample your daughterrsquos first cute dress a tea-towel youbought on a special holiday an old bedspread made by your
Granny Even if the items are damaged so cannot be passed on to others there is always a littlecorner that can be cut up into a triangle to make a bunting flag Mix a few of these together and ifyou have enough for a colour scheme (such as red white and blue) fine but donrsquot worry the flagsdonrsquot even need to be the same size Sometimes a shabby chic lsquoMix and Matchrsquo approach turns outto be perfect Sew the fabric triangles onto a piece of ribbon or bias tape and you will have awonderful string of bunting to decorate for the special day You and your family will remember notonly the Royal Wedding when you bring out that bunting but have extra glimpses of their past inthe fabrics Definitely a memento to cherish
Gaye Weekes of A amp V Designs now lives in Snowdonia North Wales and onlyan hour away from Anglesey where the Royal couple will begin their marriedlife She has no doubt had that His Highness has been hovering over theirremote valley in his helicopter over recent months Gaye plans to be flying redwhite and green Welsh bunting for the wedding Her bunting is made fromvintage fabric from the 1950s and 1960s - a cotton heavy woven greenand cream floral and a jolly red and white gingham She adds ldquo
rdquo
This article was written by
from
httpwwwwowthankyoucouk
Karine Ait-Mohamed of The Pink Fairy Cake isFrench but now lives in England She says ldquo
rdquo In the spirit of the occasion Karinehas produced a product that combines both England and France into the celebration Shehas produced sets of two Union Jack hearts filled with lavender from Chateau la Gabelle inHaute-Provence
Lisa MacDonald of LisaMollyMacDonaldis quite enthusiastic about the weddingand getting caught up in the glamour of the
occasion ldquo
rdquo
Lou Carswell of Loubie Jewels has some prettyfantastic red white and blue jewellery which wouldbe suitable for a Royal wedding celebration She told
us ldquo
rdquo
So what can we gather from these observations It will be a nice idea to celebrate the RoyalWedding If we apply a little lsquowartimersquo austerity (handmade lends itself to recycling andupcycling) we shouldnrsquot have to spend a fortune We can step back from commercialism andbe involved in a low key but meaningful way that will make the event more memorable for itssimplicity and just a little thrift God Bless William and Kate
Tell us about yourself
My name is Sandra Ritchie I live in Cleethorpes UK with my husbandJason my 10 year old daughter Alisha my 2 year old son Alfred andour dog Dumbledore Primarily I am a housewife but in my sparetime I make jewellery of all kinds from beaded pieces to metal workbut mainly I make custom-made bespoke precious metal jewellery
When did your crafting begin and why
Many years ago I studied Jewellery and Metal Art at college andover time Ive collected the tools I needed but never got round tosetting up a workroom until 2009 when my Husband pointed outthat our Utility Room would be perfect for me to set up as aworkroom to start making jewellery again It seemed ideal Ialready had people interested in me making them some jewelleryand it meant I could stay at home and look after the children as wellas try to establish a name for myself as a Jewellery designermaker
What was the first item you made to sell online
The first item I made to sell whilst not specifically to sell online was asilver octopus necklace commissioned by an acquaintance of mine thathad seen the silver octopus necklace that I made for myself whilst atcollege and wanted one like it She has since purchased the silver andcopper entwined Dragon necklace and a commissioned silver Dragonand is back on my list for another piece to be made My number onefan I think
What is your biggest crafting achievement and why
I love all the pieces Ive created especially my Custom work but myfavourite piece of all is the Greenman necklace I was approached tomake something as a surprise for someone and was basically giventhe opportunity to produce something different to my usual pieces Ilove making pieces that are based on peoples ideas of what theywant that is really special but the Greenman necklace was mydesign based on what the customer wanted it to represent I had toteach myself etching for the piece as its something Id never learntand Im really pleased with how it worked out
Other than crafting what else do you like to do
I love spending time with my children and family I love baking andcooking too and I suppose I should admit to enjoying the oddrelaxing glass (or bottle) of nice wine when the children are in bed
wwwlittlefairycultcouk
Where would you like to be in 5 years
In 5 years time Id love to be in a better financial position so I canbuy silver and make silver jewellery to sell that isnt just Custom-made Ive started sneaking a few pieces of precious metal jewellerythat are for general sale onto my site
Where does your inspiration come from
My inspiration is usually from the customers themselves They tell mewhat it is they want and I design a piece to reflect that Sometimes theyalter the design slightly to reflect more of how they want it and that isfine For my bead jewellery its usually what beads I have in myworkroom that inspire my beaded pieces I very rarely buy beads for thereason that I have a design idea and usually just buy mixed lots of beadsand work with what I have
What are your favourite materials and why
I really love working with precious metals There is somethinguniquely satisfying about taking a flat sheet of metal and turning itinto a beautiful piece of jewellery Thats why I take pictures of thepieces as I am making them so that other people and the customerwhos item it is can enjoy seeing it progress from a blank piece ofprecious metal into the finished piece
What is favourite shop online that isnrsquot yours and why
Oh my There are so many amazing websites offering beautiful andunique handmade items but I will always take a look at Etsy to see ifthere is anything that catches my eye on there They have such a largevariety of designerssellers making almost everything but the kitchen sink(though I bet if you looked hard enough youd find one on there) Ireally enjoy the little treasuries they do too where you can browse aselection of items that are grouped together by themes
Has any person helped or supported you more than any other
I have had a lot of support from the good friends I have gained on Twitter and of coursemy real life friends have been extremely supportive too but the main reason I actuallysorted out my workroom (or corner of the utility room) was due to my husband insistingthat I start making jewellery again Luckily his insistence and support paid off virtuallystraight away when a friend asked for the octopus necklace I mentioned earlier to bemade
Tell us a random fact about yourself
I have known the sex of each child and whether Id be carrying one or more before I evenconceived them Fairly random but fact nevertheless
Kit includes seed beads 5 x handmade glass beads choker wire x 3 banglewire x 2 ring wire x 3 jewellery pliers beading mat instructions
Makes 8 fabulous and individual pieces of jewellery without the need forfiddly findings books or other money-wasters
Beaded Jewellery Kitpound12Japan Crafts
A coordinating selection of beads plus step-by-step full colour instructions to make your own version of the Jungle Collar design Learn how to work peyote stitch edge it with drops and embellish it with a lush fringe and beaded flowers and leaves Let your beading imagination run wild
Each kit is hand-picked and slightly different so the beads you receive may not be the exact onesshown in the photograph but you can be certain that your necklace will be uniqueThe kit comes carefully packaged in a handy reusable storage box the only things yoursquoll need inaddition are a beading needle a spool of nylon beading thread and some sharp scissors
Beadweaving Kit for Jungle Collar
pound38Lynn Davy
Fairy Earrings Jewellery Making Kit - Ages 7yrs+
pound5Jewellery Making Kits
These single kits are fabulous for all crafty and creative girls They also make great presents for school friends nieces sisters or even grown ups Each kit includes Sterling Silver earwires or studs a small selection of flowers for the skirt a pair of wings a few coloured glass pearls for the heads silver headpin Organza Bag Full set of instructionsSuitable for ages 7 years and up Requires a pair of pliers to finish off - all instructions included
Bracelet Kit - Chunky Swarovski Pearl and Crystal with Toggle Clasp
pound750Wonderstuff Craft Kits
A little kit of bronze Swarovski pearls and Golden Shadow Swarovski crystals silk and toggle clasp
Kit includes 11 x Swarovski 12mm Pearls Colour - Soft Bronze 3 x Swarovski Crystal 8mm Rondelles - Colour - Golden Shadow 8 x Swarovski Crystal 4mmBicones Colour - Light Colorado Topaz 1 x Silver Plated Toggle Bar 1 x Silver plated Toggle RingBracelet length of threading silk Instructions
This kit contains top quality beads to make an exquisite braceletno special tools are needed
Jewellery making kits
from the small crafterWersquove found a selection of wonderful beading kits for allages and experience These are not massed producedsets but offered by the small crafter
This article was created by The Crystal Lady httpwwwmysticearthcouk
This Months
This months lsquoMan of the Monthrsquo is Ade (Adrian)EdmondsonChosen by MegampMillie
This months lsquoLady of the Monthrsquo is GwenStefaniChosen by Claire Pearcy from Elderberry Arts
httpwwwgwenstefanicom
httpwwwunrealitytvcouklets-dance-for-comic-relieflets-dance-for-comic-relief-results-ade-edmondson-and-eighties-super-group-make-next-weeks-final
(Nothing like an April Fools)
This months lsquoBlog of the Month Awardrsquo goes to lsquoItrsquos All Fiddle Fartrsquo
httpitsallfiddlefartblogspotcom
This months lsquoShop of the Month Awardrsquo goes to lsquoJulias DriftwoodFurniturersquo
httpwwwfolksycomshopsseasandview123
ww
wc
reativ
e-cr
afting
co
mw
ww
cr
eative-c
on
nec
tion
snin
gc
om
CREATIVE CRAFTING
Our next issue will be available to read on
1st June 2010If you have missed any of our issues you
can find them to read on our websitewwwcreative-craftingcom
And also on our Social Network Creative Connectionswwwcreative-connectionsningcom
To advertise in Creative Crafting or to submit an article please contact Annaat thecrystalladycreative-craftingcom
AUGUSTSUMMER 2010
Issue 5
By Crafters for Crafters
Check out our
CraftersDirectory
CREATIVE CRAFTING
By Crafters for Crafters
Issue 3
ValentinesMothers Day 2010
HandcraftedWeddingSpecial
Valentine ampMothers Day
Projects
Have youbeen
featured
By Crafters for Crafters
Issue 3ValentinesMothers Day 2010
Handcrafted
Wedding
SpecialValentine amp
Mothers Day
ProjectsHave you
been
featured
By
EASTER 2010
Issue 4
FATHERS DAY 2010
Issue 4
By Crafters for Crafters
Ch
eck out our
Craft
ersDirectory
AUGUSTSUMMER 2
010
Issu
e 5
By Craf
ters fo
r Craf
ters
Chec
k out our
Crafters
Directory
CREATIVE
C
RAFTINGAU
TUM
N H
ALLO
WEE
N 201
0Is
sue
7
CREA
TIVE
CRAF
TIN
G
By Craf
ters f
or C
rafter
s
Chec
k
out our
Craft
ersDirect
ory
An
niv
ersa
ry
Issu
e
Donrsquot forget
All of our links andadverts are fullyclickable
If you would like to embed our magazine into your website blog myspace page etc you can
customise the code to suit your style and size
AUTUMN HALLOWEEN 2010
Issue 7CREATIVE CRAFTING
By Crafters for Crafters
Check out our
CraftersDirectory
Anniversary
Issue
CHRISTMAS 2010
Issue 8
By Crafters for Crafters
FATHERS DAY 2010
Issue 4
By Crafters for Crafters
Check out our
Crafters
Directory
EASTER 2010
Issue 4
By Crafters for Crafters
By Crafters for Crafters
VALENTINES 2011Issue 9
CREATIVE CRAFTING
To those who are not yet aware Prince William and Kate Middleton will tie the knot this month onFriday 29th April in a quiet little ceremony at Westminster Abbey To some this may mean getting aday off to celebrate the nuptials or actually attend the whole affair To others like myself who areself-employed there will be no day off and hence little difference from a normal day but we can stillbe happy for the two love birds entering a state of marital bliss for the first timeIn these uncertain economic times I am not sure how the Royal Wedding will affect the economyhow much money will people want to spend Will this mean street parties like those that dominatemany peoplersquos memories from Prince Charles and Dianarsquos wedding back in 1981 Will there be arush to purchase ridiculously crass lsquosouvenirrsquo mugs plates tea towels or will the market just not bethere at all with all the unsold Royal Wedding goods in the pound shops by JuneThe handmade and crafting sector needs to be aware of the sales potential created by this Royalevent and so products should be made available to support the celebrations and possibly make thecountry feel good about itself again Maybe a lovely warm spring day in April will be good for thecountry and make it forget its economic woes for a few hoursWe asked a number of our sellers about their experience of the last big Royal Wedding (Charles andDiana) and what they are going to do this time to celebrate There were mixed feelings ndash manywere too young to remember much about the 1981 event and even though I remember a day offfrom school I cannot remember any street parties or spontaneous Mardi Gras This time around Ithink money will be a big factor and most people will not stray too far from a bit of home baking inred white and blue and also a show of patriotic bunting Union Jacks are quite the lsquoin thingrsquo at themoment for interior design and so a patriotic statement may double as being hip and trendy
Kim Lampard of Zigzag Bunting thinks a great way tocelebrate the Royal Wedding is to make your own buntingShe suggests pulling together a pile of fabrics that you nolonger need but that hold cherished memories for you forexample your daughterrsquos first cute dress a tea-towel youbought on a special holiday an old bedspread made by your
Granny Even if the items are damaged so cannot be passed on to others there is always a littlecorner that can be cut up into a triangle to make a bunting flag Mix a few of these together and ifyou have enough for a colour scheme (such as red white and blue) fine but donrsquot worry the flagsdonrsquot even need to be the same size Sometimes a shabby chic lsquoMix and Matchrsquo approach turns outto be perfect Sew the fabric triangles onto a piece of ribbon or bias tape and you will have awonderful string of bunting to decorate for the special day You and your family will remember notonly the Royal Wedding when you bring out that bunting but have extra glimpses of their past inthe fabrics Definitely a memento to cherish
Gaye Weekes of A amp V Designs now lives in Snowdonia North Wales and onlyan hour away from Anglesey where the Royal couple will begin their marriedlife She has no doubt had that His Highness has been hovering over theirremote valley in his helicopter over recent months Gaye plans to be flying redwhite and green Welsh bunting for the wedding Her bunting is made fromvintage fabric from the 1950s and 1960s - a cotton heavy woven greenand cream floral and a jolly red and white gingham She adds ldquo
rdquo
This article was written by
from
httpwwwwowthankyoucouk
Karine Ait-Mohamed of The Pink Fairy Cake isFrench but now lives in England She says ldquo
rdquo In the spirit of the occasion Karinehas produced a product that combines both England and France into the celebration Shehas produced sets of two Union Jack hearts filled with lavender from Chateau la Gabelle inHaute-Provence
Lisa MacDonald of LisaMollyMacDonaldis quite enthusiastic about the weddingand getting caught up in the glamour of the
occasion ldquo
rdquo
Lou Carswell of Loubie Jewels has some prettyfantastic red white and blue jewellery which wouldbe suitable for a Royal wedding celebration She told
us ldquo
rdquo
So what can we gather from these observations It will be a nice idea to celebrate the RoyalWedding If we apply a little lsquowartimersquo austerity (handmade lends itself to recycling andupcycling) we shouldnrsquot have to spend a fortune We can step back from commercialism andbe involved in a low key but meaningful way that will make the event more memorable for itssimplicity and just a little thrift God Bless William and Kate
Tell us about yourself
My name is Sandra Ritchie I live in Cleethorpes UK with my husbandJason my 10 year old daughter Alisha my 2 year old son Alfred andour dog Dumbledore Primarily I am a housewife but in my sparetime I make jewellery of all kinds from beaded pieces to metal workbut mainly I make custom-made bespoke precious metal jewellery
When did your crafting begin and why
Many years ago I studied Jewellery and Metal Art at college andover time Ive collected the tools I needed but never got round tosetting up a workroom until 2009 when my Husband pointed outthat our Utility Room would be perfect for me to set up as aworkroom to start making jewellery again It seemed ideal Ialready had people interested in me making them some jewelleryand it meant I could stay at home and look after the children as wellas try to establish a name for myself as a Jewellery designermaker
What was the first item you made to sell online
The first item I made to sell whilst not specifically to sell online was asilver octopus necklace commissioned by an acquaintance of mine thathad seen the silver octopus necklace that I made for myself whilst atcollege and wanted one like it She has since purchased the silver andcopper entwined Dragon necklace and a commissioned silver Dragonand is back on my list for another piece to be made My number onefan I think
What is your biggest crafting achievement and why
I love all the pieces Ive created especially my Custom work but myfavourite piece of all is the Greenman necklace I was approached tomake something as a surprise for someone and was basically giventhe opportunity to produce something different to my usual pieces Ilove making pieces that are based on peoples ideas of what theywant that is really special but the Greenman necklace was mydesign based on what the customer wanted it to represent I had toteach myself etching for the piece as its something Id never learntand Im really pleased with how it worked out
Other than crafting what else do you like to do
I love spending time with my children and family I love baking andcooking too and I suppose I should admit to enjoying the oddrelaxing glass (or bottle) of nice wine when the children are in bed
wwwlittlefairycultcouk
Where would you like to be in 5 years
In 5 years time Id love to be in a better financial position so I canbuy silver and make silver jewellery to sell that isnt just Custom-made Ive started sneaking a few pieces of precious metal jewellerythat are for general sale onto my site
Where does your inspiration come from
My inspiration is usually from the customers themselves They tell mewhat it is they want and I design a piece to reflect that Sometimes theyalter the design slightly to reflect more of how they want it and that isfine For my bead jewellery its usually what beads I have in myworkroom that inspire my beaded pieces I very rarely buy beads for thereason that I have a design idea and usually just buy mixed lots of beadsand work with what I have
What are your favourite materials and why
I really love working with precious metals There is somethinguniquely satisfying about taking a flat sheet of metal and turning itinto a beautiful piece of jewellery Thats why I take pictures of thepieces as I am making them so that other people and the customerwhos item it is can enjoy seeing it progress from a blank piece ofprecious metal into the finished piece
What is favourite shop online that isnrsquot yours and why
Oh my There are so many amazing websites offering beautiful andunique handmade items but I will always take a look at Etsy to see ifthere is anything that catches my eye on there They have such a largevariety of designerssellers making almost everything but the kitchen sink(though I bet if you looked hard enough youd find one on there) Ireally enjoy the little treasuries they do too where you can browse aselection of items that are grouped together by themes
Has any person helped or supported you more than any other
I have had a lot of support from the good friends I have gained on Twitter and of coursemy real life friends have been extremely supportive too but the main reason I actuallysorted out my workroom (or corner of the utility room) was due to my husband insistingthat I start making jewellery again Luckily his insistence and support paid off virtuallystraight away when a friend asked for the octopus necklace I mentioned earlier to bemade
Tell us a random fact about yourself
I have known the sex of each child and whether Id be carrying one or more before I evenconceived them Fairly random but fact nevertheless
Kit includes seed beads 5 x handmade glass beads choker wire x 3 banglewire x 2 ring wire x 3 jewellery pliers beading mat instructions
Makes 8 fabulous and individual pieces of jewellery without the need forfiddly findings books or other money-wasters
Beaded Jewellery Kitpound12Japan Crafts
A coordinating selection of beads plus step-by-step full colour instructions to make your own version of the Jungle Collar design Learn how to work peyote stitch edge it with drops and embellish it with a lush fringe and beaded flowers and leaves Let your beading imagination run wild
Each kit is hand-picked and slightly different so the beads you receive may not be the exact onesshown in the photograph but you can be certain that your necklace will be uniqueThe kit comes carefully packaged in a handy reusable storage box the only things yoursquoll need inaddition are a beading needle a spool of nylon beading thread and some sharp scissors
Beadweaving Kit for Jungle Collar
pound38Lynn Davy
Fairy Earrings Jewellery Making Kit - Ages 7yrs+
pound5Jewellery Making Kits
These single kits are fabulous for all crafty and creative girls They also make great presents for school friends nieces sisters or even grown ups Each kit includes Sterling Silver earwires or studs a small selection of flowers for the skirt a pair of wings a few coloured glass pearls for the heads silver headpin Organza Bag Full set of instructionsSuitable for ages 7 years and up Requires a pair of pliers to finish off - all instructions included
Bracelet Kit - Chunky Swarovski Pearl and Crystal with Toggle Clasp
pound750Wonderstuff Craft Kits
A little kit of bronze Swarovski pearls and Golden Shadow Swarovski crystals silk and toggle clasp
Kit includes 11 x Swarovski 12mm Pearls Colour - Soft Bronze 3 x Swarovski Crystal 8mm Rondelles - Colour - Golden Shadow 8 x Swarovski Crystal 4mmBicones Colour - Light Colorado Topaz 1 x Silver Plated Toggle Bar 1 x Silver plated Toggle RingBracelet length of threading silk Instructions
This kit contains top quality beads to make an exquisite braceletno special tools are needed
Jewellery making kits
from the small crafterWersquove found a selection of wonderful beading kits for allages and experience These are not massed producedsets but offered by the small crafter
This article was created by The Crystal Lady httpwwwmysticearthcouk
This Months
This months lsquoMan of the Monthrsquo is Ade (Adrian)EdmondsonChosen by MegampMillie
This months lsquoLady of the Monthrsquo is GwenStefaniChosen by Claire Pearcy from Elderberry Arts
httpwwwgwenstefanicom
httpwwwunrealitytvcouklets-dance-for-comic-relieflets-dance-for-comic-relief-results-ade-edmondson-and-eighties-super-group-make-next-weeks-final
(Nothing like an April Fools)
This months lsquoBlog of the Month Awardrsquo goes to lsquoItrsquos All Fiddle Fartrsquo
httpitsallfiddlefartblogspotcom
This months lsquoShop of the Month Awardrsquo goes to lsquoJulias DriftwoodFurniturersquo
httpwwwfolksycomshopsseasandview123
ww
wc
reativ
e-cr
afting
co
mw
ww
cr
eative-c
on
nec
tion
snin
gc
om
CREATIVE CRAFTING
Our next issue will be available to read on
1st June 2010If you have missed any of our issues you
can find them to read on our websitewwwcreative-craftingcom
And also on our Social Network Creative Connectionswwwcreative-connectionsningcom
To advertise in Creative Crafting or to submit an article please contact Annaat thecrystalladycreative-craftingcom
AUGUSTSUMMER 2010
Issue 5
By Crafters for Crafters
Check out our
CraftersDirectory
CREATIVE CRAFTING
By Crafters for Crafters
Issue 3
ValentinesMothers Day 2010
HandcraftedWeddingSpecial
Valentine ampMothers Day
Projects
Have youbeen
featured
By Crafters for Crafters
Issue 3ValentinesMothers Day 2010
Handcrafted
Wedding
SpecialValentine amp
Mothers Day
ProjectsHave you
been
featured
By
EASTER 2010
Issue 4
FATHERS DAY 2010
Issue 4
By Crafters for Crafters
Ch
eck out our
Craft
ersDirectory
AUGUSTSUMMER 2
010
Issu
e 5
By Craf
ters fo
r Craf
ters
Chec
k out our
Crafters
Directory
CREATIVE
C
RAFTINGAU
TUM
N H
ALLO
WEE
N 201
0Is
sue
7
CREA
TIVE
CRAF
TIN
G
By Craf
ters f
or C
rafter
s
Chec
k
out our
Craft
ersDirect
ory
An
niv
ersa
ry
Issu
e
Donrsquot forget
All of our links andadverts are fullyclickable
If you would like to embed our magazine into your website blog myspace page etc you can
customise the code to suit your style and size
AUTUMN HALLOWEEN 2010
Issue 7CREATIVE CRAFTING
By Crafters for Crafters
Check out our
CraftersDirectory
Anniversary
Issue
CHRISTMAS 2010
Issue 8
By Crafters for Crafters
FATHERS DAY 2010
Issue 4
By Crafters for Crafters
Check out our
Crafters
Directory
EASTER 2010
Issue 4
By Crafters for Crafters
By Crafters for Crafters
VALENTINES 2011Issue 9
CREATIVE CRAFTING
This article was written by
from
httpwwwwowthankyoucouk
Karine Ait-Mohamed of The Pink Fairy Cake isFrench but now lives in England She says ldquo
rdquo In the spirit of the occasion Karinehas produced a product that combines both England and France into the celebration Shehas produced sets of two Union Jack hearts filled with lavender from Chateau la Gabelle inHaute-Provence
Lisa MacDonald of LisaMollyMacDonaldis quite enthusiastic about the weddingand getting caught up in the glamour of the
occasion ldquo
rdquo
Lou Carswell of Loubie Jewels has some prettyfantastic red white and blue jewellery which wouldbe suitable for a Royal wedding celebration She told
us ldquo
rdquo
So what can we gather from these observations It will be a nice idea to celebrate the RoyalWedding If we apply a little lsquowartimersquo austerity (handmade lends itself to recycling andupcycling) we shouldnrsquot have to spend a fortune We can step back from commercialism andbe involved in a low key but meaningful way that will make the event more memorable for itssimplicity and just a little thrift God Bless William and Kate
Tell us about yourself
My name is Sandra Ritchie I live in Cleethorpes UK with my husbandJason my 10 year old daughter Alisha my 2 year old son Alfred andour dog Dumbledore Primarily I am a housewife but in my sparetime I make jewellery of all kinds from beaded pieces to metal workbut mainly I make custom-made bespoke precious metal jewellery
When did your crafting begin and why
Many years ago I studied Jewellery and Metal Art at college andover time Ive collected the tools I needed but never got round tosetting up a workroom until 2009 when my Husband pointed outthat our Utility Room would be perfect for me to set up as aworkroom to start making jewellery again It seemed ideal Ialready had people interested in me making them some jewelleryand it meant I could stay at home and look after the children as wellas try to establish a name for myself as a Jewellery designermaker
What was the first item you made to sell online
The first item I made to sell whilst not specifically to sell online was asilver octopus necklace commissioned by an acquaintance of mine thathad seen the silver octopus necklace that I made for myself whilst atcollege and wanted one like it She has since purchased the silver andcopper entwined Dragon necklace and a commissioned silver Dragonand is back on my list for another piece to be made My number onefan I think
What is your biggest crafting achievement and why
I love all the pieces Ive created especially my Custom work but myfavourite piece of all is the Greenman necklace I was approached tomake something as a surprise for someone and was basically giventhe opportunity to produce something different to my usual pieces Ilove making pieces that are based on peoples ideas of what theywant that is really special but the Greenman necklace was mydesign based on what the customer wanted it to represent I had toteach myself etching for the piece as its something Id never learntand Im really pleased with how it worked out
Other than crafting what else do you like to do
I love spending time with my children and family I love baking andcooking too and I suppose I should admit to enjoying the oddrelaxing glass (or bottle) of nice wine when the children are in bed
wwwlittlefairycultcouk
Where would you like to be in 5 years
In 5 years time Id love to be in a better financial position so I canbuy silver and make silver jewellery to sell that isnt just Custom-made Ive started sneaking a few pieces of precious metal jewellerythat are for general sale onto my site
Where does your inspiration come from
My inspiration is usually from the customers themselves They tell mewhat it is they want and I design a piece to reflect that Sometimes theyalter the design slightly to reflect more of how they want it and that isfine For my bead jewellery its usually what beads I have in myworkroom that inspire my beaded pieces I very rarely buy beads for thereason that I have a design idea and usually just buy mixed lots of beadsand work with what I have
What are your favourite materials and why
I really love working with precious metals There is somethinguniquely satisfying about taking a flat sheet of metal and turning itinto a beautiful piece of jewellery Thats why I take pictures of thepieces as I am making them so that other people and the customerwhos item it is can enjoy seeing it progress from a blank piece ofprecious metal into the finished piece
What is favourite shop online that isnrsquot yours and why
Oh my There are so many amazing websites offering beautiful andunique handmade items but I will always take a look at Etsy to see ifthere is anything that catches my eye on there They have such a largevariety of designerssellers making almost everything but the kitchen sink(though I bet if you looked hard enough youd find one on there) Ireally enjoy the little treasuries they do too where you can browse aselection of items that are grouped together by themes
Has any person helped or supported you more than any other
I have had a lot of support from the good friends I have gained on Twitter and of coursemy real life friends have been extremely supportive too but the main reason I actuallysorted out my workroom (or corner of the utility room) was due to my husband insistingthat I start making jewellery again Luckily his insistence and support paid off virtuallystraight away when a friend asked for the octopus necklace I mentioned earlier to bemade
Tell us a random fact about yourself
I have known the sex of each child and whether Id be carrying one or more before I evenconceived them Fairly random but fact nevertheless
Kit includes seed beads 5 x handmade glass beads choker wire x 3 banglewire x 2 ring wire x 3 jewellery pliers beading mat instructions
Makes 8 fabulous and individual pieces of jewellery without the need forfiddly findings books or other money-wasters
Beaded Jewellery Kitpound12Japan Crafts
A coordinating selection of beads plus step-by-step full colour instructions to make your own version of the Jungle Collar design Learn how to work peyote stitch edge it with drops and embellish it with a lush fringe and beaded flowers and leaves Let your beading imagination run wild
Each kit is hand-picked and slightly different so the beads you receive may not be the exact onesshown in the photograph but you can be certain that your necklace will be uniqueThe kit comes carefully packaged in a handy reusable storage box the only things yoursquoll need inaddition are a beading needle a spool of nylon beading thread and some sharp scissors
Beadweaving Kit for Jungle Collar
pound38Lynn Davy
Fairy Earrings Jewellery Making Kit - Ages 7yrs+
pound5Jewellery Making Kits
These single kits are fabulous for all crafty and creative girls They also make great presents for school friends nieces sisters or even grown ups Each kit includes Sterling Silver earwires or studs a small selection of flowers for the skirt a pair of wings a few coloured glass pearls for the heads silver headpin Organza Bag Full set of instructionsSuitable for ages 7 years and up Requires a pair of pliers to finish off - all instructions included
Bracelet Kit - Chunky Swarovski Pearl and Crystal with Toggle Clasp
pound750Wonderstuff Craft Kits
A little kit of bronze Swarovski pearls and Golden Shadow Swarovski crystals silk and toggle clasp
Kit includes 11 x Swarovski 12mm Pearls Colour - Soft Bronze 3 x Swarovski Crystal 8mm Rondelles - Colour - Golden Shadow 8 x Swarovski Crystal 4mmBicones Colour - Light Colorado Topaz 1 x Silver Plated Toggle Bar 1 x Silver plated Toggle RingBracelet length of threading silk Instructions
This kit contains top quality beads to make an exquisite braceletno special tools are needed
Jewellery making kits
from the small crafterWersquove found a selection of wonderful beading kits for allages and experience These are not massed producedsets but offered by the small crafter
This article was created by The Crystal Lady httpwwwmysticearthcouk
This Months
This months lsquoMan of the Monthrsquo is Ade (Adrian)EdmondsonChosen by MegampMillie
This months lsquoLady of the Monthrsquo is GwenStefaniChosen by Claire Pearcy from Elderberry Arts
httpwwwgwenstefanicom
httpwwwunrealitytvcouklets-dance-for-comic-relieflets-dance-for-comic-relief-results-ade-edmondson-and-eighties-super-group-make-next-weeks-final
(Nothing like an April Fools)
This months lsquoBlog of the Month Awardrsquo goes to lsquoItrsquos All Fiddle Fartrsquo
httpitsallfiddlefartblogspotcom
This months lsquoShop of the Month Awardrsquo goes to lsquoJulias DriftwoodFurniturersquo
httpwwwfolksycomshopsseasandview123
ww
wc
reativ
e-cr
afting
co
mw
ww
cr
eative-c
on
nec
tion
snin
gc
om
CREATIVE CRAFTING
Our next issue will be available to read on
1st June 2010If you have missed any of our issues you
can find them to read on our websitewwwcreative-craftingcom
And also on our Social Network Creative Connectionswwwcreative-connectionsningcom
To advertise in Creative Crafting or to submit an article please contact Annaat thecrystalladycreative-craftingcom
AUGUSTSUMMER 2010
Issue 5
By Crafters for Crafters
Check out our
CraftersDirectory
CREATIVE CRAFTING
By Crafters for Crafters
Issue 3
ValentinesMothers Day 2010
HandcraftedWeddingSpecial
Valentine ampMothers Day
Projects
Have youbeen
featured
By Crafters for Crafters
Issue 3ValentinesMothers Day 2010
Handcrafted
Wedding
SpecialValentine amp
Mothers Day
ProjectsHave you
been
featured
By
EASTER 2010
Issue 4
FATHERS DAY 2010
Issue 4
By Crafters for Crafters
Ch
eck out our
Craft
ersDirectory
AUGUSTSUMMER 2
010
Issu
e 5
By Craf
ters fo
r Craf
ters
Chec
k out our
Crafters
Directory
CREATIVE
C
RAFTINGAU
TUM
N H
ALLO
WEE
N 201
0Is
sue
7
CREA
TIVE
CRAF
TIN
G
By Craf
ters f
or C
rafter
s
Chec
k
out our
Craft
ersDirect
ory
An
niv
ersa
ry
Issu
e
Donrsquot forget
All of our links andadverts are fullyclickable
If you would like to embed our magazine into your website blog myspace page etc you can
customise the code to suit your style and size
AUTUMN HALLOWEEN 2010
Issue 7CREATIVE CRAFTING
By Crafters for Crafters
Check out our
CraftersDirectory
Anniversary
Issue
CHRISTMAS 2010
Issue 8
By Crafters for Crafters
FATHERS DAY 2010
Issue 4
By Crafters for Crafters
Check out our
Crafters
Directory
EASTER 2010
Issue 4
By Crafters for Crafters
By Crafters for Crafters
VALENTINES 2011Issue 9
CREATIVE CRAFTING
Tell us about yourself
My name is Sandra Ritchie I live in Cleethorpes UK with my husbandJason my 10 year old daughter Alisha my 2 year old son Alfred andour dog Dumbledore Primarily I am a housewife but in my sparetime I make jewellery of all kinds from beaded pieces to metal workbut mainly I make custom-made bespoke precious metal jewellery
When did your crafting begin and why
Many years ago I studied Jewellery and Metal Art at college andover time Ive collected the tools I needed but never got round tosetting up a workroom until 2009 when my Husband pointed outthat our Utility Room would be perfect for me to set up as aworkroom to start making jewellery again It seemed ideal Ialready had people interested in me making them some jewelleryand it meant I could stay at home and look after the children as wellas try to establish a name for myself as a Jewellery designermaker
What was the first item you made to sell online
The first item I made to sell whilst not specifically to sell online was asilver octopus necklace commissioned by an acquaintance of mine thathad seen the silver octopus necklace that I made for myself whilst atcollege and wanted one like it She has since purchased the silver andcopper entwined Dragon necklace and a commissioned silver Dragonand is back on my list for another piece to be made My number onefan I think
What is your biggest crafting achievement and why
I love all the pieces Ive created especially my Custom work but myfavourite piece of all is the Greenman necklace I was approached tomake something as a surprise for someone and was basically giventhe opportunity to produce something different to my usual pieces Ilove making pieces that are based on peoples ideas of what theywant that is really special but the Greenman necklace was mydesign based on what the customer wanted it to represent I had toteach myself etching for the piece as its something Id never learntand Im really pleased with how it worked out
Other than crafting what else do you like to do
I love spending time with my children and family I love baking andcooking too and I suppose I should admit to enjoying the oddrelaxing glass (or bottle) of nice wine when the children are in bed
wwwlittlefairycultcouk
Where would you like to be in 5 years
In 5 years time Id love to be in a better financial position so I canbuy silver and make silver jewellery to sell that isnt just Custom-made Ive started sneaking a few pieces of precious metal jewellerythat are for general sale onto my site
Where does your inspiration come from
My inspiration is usually from the customers themselves They tell mewhat it is they want and I design a piece to reflect that Sometimes theyalter the design slightly to reflect more of how they want it and that isfine For my bead jewellery its usually what beads I have in myworkroom that inspire my beaded pieces I very rarely buy beads for thereason that I have a design idea and usually just buy mixed lots of beadsand work with what I have
What are your favourite materials and why
I really love working with precious metals There is somethinguniquely satisfying about taking a flat sheet of metal and turning itinto a beautiful piece of jewellery Thats why I take pictures of thepieces as I am making them so that other people and the customerwhos item it is can enjoy seeing it progress from a blank piece ofprecious metal into the finished piece
What is favourite shop online that isnrsquot yours and why
Oh my There are so many amazing websites offering beautiful andunique handmade items but I will always take a look at Etsy to see ifthere is anything that catches my eye on there They have such a largevariety of designerssellers making almost everything but the kitchen sink(though I bet if you looked hard enough youd find one on there) Ireally enjoy the little treasuries they do too where you can browse aselection of items that are grouped together by themes
Has any person helped or supported you more than any other
I have had a lot of support from the good friends I have gained on Twitter and of coursemy real life friends have been extremely supportive too but the main reason I actuallysorted out my workroom (or corner of the utility room) was due to my husband insistingthat I start making jewellery again Luckily his insistence and support paid off virtuallystraight away when a friend asked for the octopus necklace I mentioned earlier to bemade
Tell us a random fact about yourself
I have known the sex of each child and whether Id be carrying one or more before I evenconceived them Fairly random but fact nevertheless
Kit includes seed beads 5 x handmade glass beads choker wire x 3 banglewire x 2 ring wire x 3 jewellery pliers beading mat instructions
Makes 8 fabulous and individual pieces of jewellery without the need forfiddly findings books or other money-wasters
Beaded Jewellery Kitpound12Japan Crafts
A coordinating selection of beads plus step-by-step full colour instructions to make your own version of the Jungle Collar design Learn how to work peyote stitch edge it with drops and embellish it with a lush fringe and beaded flowers and leaves Let your beading imagination run wild
Each kit is hand-picked and slightly different so the beads you receive may not be the exact onesshown in the photograph but you can be certain that your necklace will be uniqueThe kit comes carefully packaged in a handy reusable storage box the only things yoursquoll need inaddition are a beading needle a spool of nylon beading thread and some sharp scissors
Beadweaving Kit for Jungle Collar
pound38Lynn Davy
Fairy Earrings Jewellery Making Kit - Ages 7yrs+
pound5Jewellery Making Kits
These single kits are fabulous for all crafty and creative girls They also make great presents for school friends nieces sisters or even grown ups Each kit includes Sterling Silver earwires or studs a small selection of flowers for the skirt a pair of wings a few coloured glass pearls for the heads silver headpin Organza Bag Full set of instructionsSuitable for ages 7 years and up Requires a pair of pliers to finish off - all instructions included
Bracelet Kit - Chunky Swarovski Pearl and Crystal with Toggle Clasp
pound750Wonderstuff Craft Kits
A little kit of bronze Swarovski pearls and Golden Shadow Swarovski crystals silk and toggle clasp
Kit includes 11 x Swarovski 12mm Pearls Colour - Soft Bronze 3 x Swarovski Crystal 8mm Rondelles - Colour - Golden Shadow 8 x Swarovski Crystal 4mmBicones Colour - Light Colorado Topaz 1 x Silver Plated Toggle Bar 1 x Silver plated Toggle RingBracelet length of threading silk Instructions
This kit contains top quality beads to make an exquisite braceletno special tools are needed
Jewellery making kits
from the small crafterWersquove found a selection of wonderful beading kits for allages and experience These are not massed producedsets but offered by the small crafter
This article was created by The Crystal Lady httpwwwmysticearthcouk
This Months
This months lsquoMan of the Monthrsquo is Ade (Adrian)EdmondsonChosen by MegampMillie
This months lsquoLady of the Monthrsquo is GwenStefaniChosen by Claire Pearcy from Elderberry Arts
httpwwwgwenstefanicom
httpwwwunrealitytvcouklets-dance-for-comic-relieflets-dance-for-comic-relief-results-ade-edmondson-and-eighties-super-group-make-next-weeks-final
(Nothing like an April Fools)
This months lsquoBlog of the Month Awardrsquo goes to lsquoItrsquos All Fiddle Fartrsquo
httpitsallfiddlefartblogspotcom
This months lsquoShop of the Month Awardrsquo goes to lsquoJulias DriftwoodFurniturersquo
httpwwwfolksycomshopsseasandview123
ww
wc
reativ
e-cr
afting
co
mw
ww
cr
eative-c
on
nec
tion
snin
gc
om
CREATIVE CRAFTING
Our next issue will be available to read on
1st June 2010If you have missed any of our issues you
can find them to read on our websitewwwcreative-craftingcom
And also on our Social Network Creative Connectionswwwcreative-connectionsningcom
To advertise in Creative Crafting or to submit an article please contact Annaat thecrystalladycreative-craftingcom
AUGUSTSUMMER 2010
Issue 5
By Crafters for Crafters
Check out our
CraftersDirectory
CREATIVE CRAFTING
By Crafters for Crafters
Issue 3
ValentinesMothers Day 2010
HandcraftedWeddingSpecial
Valentine ampMothers Day
Projects
Have youbeen
featured
By Crafters for Crafters
Issue 3ValentinesMothers Day 2010
Handcrafted
Wedding
SpecialValentine amp
Mothers Day
ProjectsHave you
been
featured
By
EASTER 2010
Issue 4
FATHERS DAY 2010
Issue 4
By Crafters for Crafters
Ch
eck out our
Craft
ersDirectory
AUGUSTSUMMER 2
010
Issu
e 5
By Craf
ters fo
r Craf
ters
Chec
k out our
Crafters
Directory
CREATIVE
C
RAFTINGAU
TUM
N H
ALLO
WEE
N 201
0Is
sue
7
CREA
TIVE
CRAF
TIN
G
By Craf
ters f
or C
rafter
s
Chec
k
out our
Craft
ersDirect
ory
An
niv
ersa
ry
Issu
e
Donrsquot forget
All of our links andadverts are fullyclickable
If you would like to embed our magazine into your website blog myspace page etc you can
customise the code to suit your style and size
AUTUMN HALLOWEEN 2010
Issue 7CREATIVE CRAFTING
By Crafters for Crafters
Check out our
CraftersDirectory
Anniversary
Issue
CHRISTMAS 2010
Issue 8
By Crafters for Crafters
FATHERS DAY 2010
Issue 4
By Crafters for Crafters
Check out our
Crafters
Directory
EASTER 2010
Issue 4
By Crafters for Crafters
By Crafters for Crafters
VALENTINES 2011Issue 9
CREATIVE CRAFTING
Where would you like to be in 5 years
In 5 years time Id love to be in a better financial position so I canbuy silver and make silver jewellery to sell that isnt just Custom-made Ive started sneaking a few pieces of precious metal jewellerythat are for general sale onto my site
Where does your inspiration come from
My inspiration is usually from the customers themselves They tell mewhat it is they want and I design a piece to reflect that Sometimes theyalter the design slightly to reflect more of how they want it and that isfine For my bead jewellery its usually what beads I have in myworkroom that inspire my beaded pieces I very rarely buy beads for thereason that I have a design idea and usually just buy mixed lots of beadsand work with what I have
What are your favourite materials and why
I really love working with precious metals There is somethinguniquely satisfying about taking a flat sheet of metal and turning itinto a beautiful piece of jewellery Thats why I take pictures of thepieces as I am making them so that other people and the customerwhos item it is can enjoy seeing it progress from a blank piece ofprecious metal into the finished piece
What is favourite shop online that isnrsquot yours and why
Oh my There are so many amazing websites offering beautiful andunique handmade items but I will always take a look at Etsy to see ifthere is anything that catches my eye on there They have such a largevariety of designerssellers making almost everything but the kitchen sink(though I bet if you looked hard enough youd find one on there) Ireally enjoy the little treasuries they do too where you can browse aselection of items that are grouped together by themes
Has any person helped or supported you more than any other
I have had a lot of support from the good friends I have gained on Twitter and of coursemy real life friends have been extremely supportive too but the main reason I actuallysorted out my workroom (or corner of the utility room) was due to my husband insistingthat I start making jewellery again Luckily his insistence and support paid off virtuallystraight away when a friend asked for the octopus necklace I mentioned earlier to bemade
Tell us a random fact about yourself
I have known the sex of each child and whether Id be carrying one or more before I evenconceived them Fairly random but fact nevertheless
Kit includes seed beads 5 x handmade glass beads choker wire x 3 banglewire x 2 ring wire x 3 jewellery pliers beading mat instructions
Makes 8 fabulous and individual pieces of jewellery without the need forfiddly findings books or other money-wasters
Beaded Jewellery Kitpound12Japan Crafts
A coordinating selection of beads plus step-by-step full colour instructions to make your own version of the Jungle Collar design Learn how to work peyote stitch edge it with drops and embellish it with a lush fringe and beaded flowers and leaves Let your beading imagination run wild
Each kit is hand-picked and slightly different so the beads you receive may not be the exact onesshown in the photograph but you can be certain that your necklace will be uniqueThe kit comes carefully packaged in a handy reusable storage box the only things yoursquoll need inaddition are a beading needle a spool of nylon beading thread and some sharp scissors
Beadweaving Kit for Jungle Collar
pound38Lynn Davy
Fairy Earrings Jewellery Making Kit - Ages 7yrs+
pound5Jewellery Making Kits
These single kits are fabulous for all crafty and creative girls They also make great presents for school friends nieces sisters or even grown ups Each kit includes Sterling Silver earwires or studs a small selection of flowers for the skirt a pair of wings a few coloured glass pearls for the heads silver headpin Organza Bag Full set of instructionsSuitable for ages 7 years and up Requires a pair of pliers to finish off - all instructions included
Bracelet Kit - Chunky Swarovski Pearl and Crystal with Toggle Clasp
pound750Wonderstuff Craft Kits
A little kit of bronze Swarovski pearls and Golden Shadow Swarovski crystals silk and toggle clasp
Kit includes 11 x Swarovski 12mm Pearls Colour - Soft Bronze 3 x Swarovski Crystal 8mm Rondelles - Colour - Golden Shadow 8 x Swarovski Crystal 4mmBicones Colour - Light Colorado Topaz 1 x Silver Plated Toggle Bar 1 x Silver plated Toggle RingBracelet length of threading silk Instructions
This kit contains top quality beads to make an exquisite braceletno special tools are needed
Jewellery making kits
from the small crafterWersquove found a selection of wonderful beading kits for allages and experience These are not massed producedsets but offered by the small crafter
This article was created by The Crystal Lady httpwwwmysticearthcouk
This Months
This months lsquoMan of the Monthrsquo is Ade (Adrian)EdmondsonChosen by MegampMillie
This months lsquoLady of the Monthrsquo is GwenStefaniChosen by Claire Pearcy from Elderberry Arts
httpwwwgwenstefanicom
httpwwwunrealitytvcouklets-dance-for-comic-relieflets-dance-for-comic-relief-results-ade-edmondson-and-eighties-super-group-make-next-weeks-final
(Nothing like an April Fools)
This months lsquoBlog of the Month Awardrsquo goes to lsquoItrsquos All Fiddle Fartrsquo
httpitsallfiddlefartblogspotcom
This months lsquoShop of the Month Awardrsquo goes to lsquoJulias DriftwoodFurniturersquo
httpwwwfolksycomshopsseasandview123
ww
wc
reativ
e-cr
afting
co
mw
ww
cr
eative-c
on
nec
tion
snin
gc
om
CREATIVE CRAFTING
Our next issue will be available to read on
1st June 2010If you have missed any of our issues you
can find them to read on our websitewwwcreative-craftingcom
And also on our Social Network Creative Connectionswwwcreative-connectionsningcom
To advertise in Creative Crafting or to submit an article please contact Annaat thecrystalladycreative-craftingcom
AUGUSTSUMMER 2010
Issue 5
By Crafters for Crafters
Check out our
CraftersDirectory
CREATIVE CRAFTING
By Crafters for Crafters
Issue 3
ValentinesMothers Day 2010
HandcraftedWeddingSpecial
Valentine ampMothers Day
Projects
Have youbeen
featured
By Crafters for Crafters
Issue 3ValentinesMothers Day 2010
Handcrafted
Wedding
SpecialValentine amp
Mothers Day
ProjectsHave you
been
featured
By
EASTER 2010
Issue 4
FATHERS DAY 2010
Issue 4
By Crafters for Crafters
Ch
eck out our
Craft
ersDirectory
AUGUSTSUMMER 2
010
Issu
e 5
By Craf
ters fo
r Craf
ters
Chec
k out our
Crafters
Directory
CREATIVE
C
RAFTINGAU
TUM
N H
ALLO
WEE
N 201
0Is
sue
7
CREA
TIVE
CRAF
TIN
G
By Craf
ters f
or C
rafter
s
Chec
k
out our
Craft
ersDirect
ory
An
niv
ersa
ry
Issu
e
Donrsquot forget
All of our links andadverts are fullyclickable
If you would like to embed our magazine into your website blog myspace page etc you can
customise the code to suit your style and size
AUTUMN HALLOWEEN 2010
Issue 7CREATIVE CRAFTING
By Crafters for Crafters
Check out our
CraftersDirectory
Anniversary
Issue
CHRISTMAS 2010
Issue 8
By Crafters for Crafters
FATHERS DAY 2010
Issue 4
By Crafters for Crafters
Check out our
Crafters
Directory
EASTER 2010
Issue 4
By Crafters for Crafters
By Crafters for Crafters
VALENTINES 2011Issue 9
CREATIVE CRAFTING
Kit includes seed beads 5 x handmade glass beads choker wire x 3 banglewire x 2 ring wire x 3 jewellery pliers beading mat instructions
Makes 8 fabulous and individual pieces of jewellery without the need forfiddly findings books or other money-wasters
Beaded Jewellery Kitpound12Japan Crafts
A coordinating selection of beads plus step-by-step full colour instructions to make your own version of the Jungle Collar design Learn how to work peyote stitch edge it with drops and embellish it with a lush fringe and beaded flowers and leaves Let your beading imagination run wild
Each kit is hand-picked and slightly different so the beads you receive may not be the exact onesshown in the photograph but you can be certain that your necklace will be uniqueThe kit comes carefully packaged in a handy reusable storage box the only things yoursquoll need inaddition are a beading needle a spool of nylon beading thread and some sharp scissors
Beadweaving Kit for Jungle Collar
pound38Lynn Davy
Fairy Earrings Jewellery Making Kit - Ages 7yrs+
pound5Jewellery Making Kits
These single kits are fabulous for all crafty and creative girls They also make great presents for school friends nieces sisters or even grown ups Each kit includes Sterling Silver earwires or studs a small selection of flowers for the skirt a pair of wings a few coloured glass pearls for the heads silver headpin Organza Bag Full set of instructionsSuitable for ages 7 years and up Requires a pair of pliers to finish off - all instructions included
Bracelet Kit - Chunky Swarovski Pearl and Crystal with Toggle Clasp
pound750Wonderstuff Craft Kits
A little kit of bronze Swarovski pearls and Golden Shadow Swarovski crystals silk and toggle clasp
Kit includes 11 x Swarovski 12mm Pearls Colour - Soft Bronze 3 x Swarovski Crystal 8mm Rondelles - Colour - Golden Shadow 8 x Swarovski Crystal 4mmBicones Colour - Light Colorado Topaz 1 x Silver Plated Toggle Bar 1 x Silver plated Toggle RingBracelet length of threading silk Instructions
This kit contains top quality beads to make an exquisite braceletno special tools are needed
Jewellery making kits
from the small crafterWersquove found a selection of wonderful beading kits for allages and experience These are not massed producedsets but offered by the small crafter
This article was created by The Crystal Lady httpwwwmysticearthcouk
This Months
This months lsquoMan of the Monthrsquo is Ade (Adrian)EdmondsonChosen by MegampMillie
This months lsquoLady of the Monthrsquo is GwenStefaniChosen by Claire Pearcy from Elderberry Arts
httpwwwgwenstefanicom
httpwwwunrealitytvcouklets-dance-for-comic-relieflets-dance-for-comic-relief-results-ade-edmondson-and-eighties-super-group-make-next-weeks-final
(Nothing like an April Fools)
This months lsquoBlog of the Month Awardrsquo goes to lsquoItrsquos All Fiddle Fartrsquo
httpitsallfiddlefartblogspotcom
This months lsquoShop of the Month Awardrsquo goes to lsquoJulias DriftwoodFurniturersquo
httpwwwfolksycomshopsseasandview123
ww
wc
reativ
e-cr
afting
co
mw
ww
cr
eative-c
on
nec
tion
snin
gc
om
CREATIVE CRAFTING
Our next issue will be available to read on
1st June 2010If you have missed any of our issues you
can find them to read on our websitewwwcreative-craftingcom
And also on our Social Network Creative Connectionswwwcreative-connectionsningcom
To advertise in Creative Crafting or to submit an article please contact Annaat thecrystalladycreative-craftingcom
AUGUSTSUMMER 2010
Issue 5
By Crafters for Crafters
Check out our
CraftersDirectory
CREATIVE CRAFTING
By Crafters for Crafters
Issue 3
ValentinesMothers Day 2010
HandcraftedWeddingSpecial
Valentine ampMothers Day
Projects
Have youbeen
featured
By Crafters for Crafters
Issue 3ValentinesMothers Day 2010
Handcrafted
Wedding
SpecialValentine amp
Mothers Day
ProjectsHave you
been
featured
By
EASTER 2010
Issue 4
FATHERS DAY 2010
Issue 4
By Crafters for Crafters
Ch
eck out our
Craft
ersDirectory
AUGUSTSUMMER 2
010
Issu
e 5
By Craf
ters fo
r Craf
ters
Chec
k out our
Crafters
Directory
CREATIVE
C
RAFTINGAU
TUM
N H
ALLO
WEE
N 201
0Is
sue
7
CREA
TIVE
CRAF
TIN
G
By Craf
ters f
or C
rafter
s
Chec
k
out our
Craft
ersDirect
ory
An
niv
ersa
ry
Issu
e
Donrsquot forget
All of our links andadverts are fullyclickable
If you would like to embed our magazine into your website blog myspace page etc you can
customise the code to suit your style and size
AUTUMN HALLOWEEN 2010
Issue 7CREATIVE CRAFTING
By Crafters for Crafters
Check out our
CraftersDirectory
Anniversary
Issue
CHRISTMAS 2010
Issue 8
By Crafters for Crafters
FATHERS DAY 2010
Issue 4
By Crafters for Crafters
Check out our
Crafters
Directory
EASTER 2010
Issue 4
By Crafters for Crafters
By Crafters for Crafters
VALENTINES 2011Issue 9
CREATIVE CRAFTING
This Months
This months lsquoMan of the Monthrsquo is Ade (Adrian)EdmondsonChosen by MegampMillie
This months lsquoLady of the Monthrsquo is GwenStefaniChosen by Claire Pearcy from Elderberry Arts
httpwwwgwenstefanicom
httpwwwunrealitytvcouklets-dance-for-comic-relieflets-dance-for-comic-relief-results-ade-edmondson-and-eighties-super-group-make-next-weeks-final
(Nothing like an April Fools)
This months lsquoBlog of the Month Awardrsquo goes to lsquoItrsquos All Fiddle Fartrsquo
httpitsallfiddlefartblogspotcom
This months lsquoShop of the Month Awardrsquo goes to lsquoJulias DriftwoodFurniturersquo
httpwwwfolksycomshopsseasandview123
ww
wc
reativ
e-cr
afting
co
mw
ww
cr
eative-c
on
nec
tion
snin
gc
om
CREATIVE CRAFTING
Our next issue will be available to read on
1st June 2010If you have missed any of our issues you
can find them to read on our websitewwwcreative-craftingcom
And also on our Social Network Creative Connectionswwwcreative-connectionsningcom
To advertise in Creative Crafting or to submit an article please contact Annaat thecrystalladycreative-craftingcom
AUGUSTSUMMER 2010
Issue 5
By Crafters for Crafters
Check out our
CraftersDirectory
CREATIVE CRAFTING
By Crafters for Crafters
Issue 3
ValentinesMothers Day 2010
HandcraftedWeddingSpecial
Valentine ampMothers Day
Projects
Have youbeen
featured
By Crafters for Crafters
Issue 3ValentinesMothers Day 2010
Handcrafted
Wedding
SpecialValentine amp
Mothers Day
ProjectsHave you
been
featured
By
EASTER 2010
Issue 4
FATHERS DAY 2010
Issue 4
By Crafters for Crafters
Ch
eck out our
Craft
ersDirectory
AUGUSTSUMMER 2
010
Issu
e 5
By Craf
ters fo
r Craf
ters
Chec
k out our
Crafters
Directory
CREATIVE
C
RAFTINGAU
TUM
N H
ALLO
WEE
N 201
0Is
sue
7
CREA
TIVE
CRAF
TIN
G
By Craf
ters f
or C
rafter
s
Chec
k
out our
Craft
ersDirect
ory
An
niv
ersa
ry
Issu
e
Donrsquot forget
All of our links andadverts are fullyclickable
If you would like to embed our magazine into your website blog myspace page etc you can
customise the code to suit your style and size
AUTUMN HALLOWEEN 2010
Issue 7CREATIVE CRAFTING
By Crafters for Crafters
Check out our
CraftersDirectory
Anniversary
Issue
CHRISTMAS 2010
Issue 8
By Crafters for Crafters
FATHERS DAY 2010
Issue 4
By Crafters for Crafters
Check out our
Crafters
Directory
EASTER 2010
Issue 4
By Crafters for Crafters
By Crafters for Crafters
VALENTINES 2011Issue 9
CREATIVE CRAFTING
ww
wc
reativ
e-cr
afting
co
mw
ww
cr
eative-c
on
nec
tion
snin
gc
om
CREATIVE CRAFTING
Our next issue will be available to read on
1st June 2010If you have missed any of our issues you
can find them to read on our websitewwwcreative-craftingcom
And also on our Social Network Creative Connectionswwwcreative-connectionsningcom
To advertise in Creative Crafting or to submit an article please contact Annaat thecrystalladycreative-craftingcom
AUGUSTSUMMER 2010
Issue 5
By Crafters for Crafters
Check out our
CraftersDirectory
CREATIVE CRAFTING
By Crafters for Crafters
Issue 3
ValentinesMothers Day 2010
HandcraftedWeddingSpecial
Valentine ampMothers Day
Projects
Have youbeen
featured
By Crafters for Crafters
Issue 3ValentinesMothers Day 2010
Handcrafted
Wedding
SpecialValentine amp
Mothers Day
ProjectsHave you
been
featured
By
EASTER 2010
Issue 4
FATHERS DAY 2010
Issue 4
By Crafters for Crafters
Ch
eck out our
Craft
ersDirectory
AUGUSTSUMMER 2
010
Issu
e 5
By Craf
ters fo
r Craf
ters
Chec
k out our
Crafters
Directory
CREATIVE
C
RAFTINGAU
TUM
N H
ALLO
WEE
N 201
0Is
sue
7
CREA
TIVE
CRAF
TIN
G
By Craf
ters f
or C
rafter
s
Chec
k
out our
Craft
ersDirect
ory
An
niv
ersa
ry
Issu
e
Donrsquot forget
All of our links andadverts are fullyclickable
If you would like to embed our magazine into your website blog myspace page etc you can
customise the code to suit your style and size
AUTUMN HALLOWEEN 2010
Issue 7CREATIVE CRAFTING
By Crafters for Crafters
Check out our
CraftersDirectory
Anniversary
Issue
CHRISTMAS 2010
Issue 8
By Crafters for Crafters
FATHERS DAY 2010
Issue 4
By Crafters for Crafters
Check out our
Crafters
Directory
EASTER 2010
Issue 4
By Crafters for Crafters
By Crafters for Crafters
VALENTINES 2011Issue 9
CREATIVE CRAFTING